Fire Detects from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program, Operational Linescan System (DMSP/OLS), Nighttime Lights Algorithm

The DMSP/OLS fire detection algorithm was developed at NOAA's National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC) in Boulder CO. Ingest of DMSP data, and preprocessing/geolocation of the data used by Satellite Services Division (SSD) to make the fire product, originate still at NGDC. Users are referred to the Global Fire Detection web page at NGDC. The algorithm basically uses the nighttime visible data from the OLS instrument and subtracts the stable (city) lights. Ideally the lights that remain are caused by fires. Cloudy areas are screened to reduce reflection from clouds, with help from the satellite analyst. Lakes and rivers are also filtered. An analyst then manually screens the data to eliminate false detects and look for obvious fire signitures.

Users should note:

• The SSD product looks for fires only in the conterminous US West of -95 degrees longitude. The eastern US is eliminated at this time due to the large number of city lights. There is too much sunlight in Alaska when the satellite passes to use this technique.
• The analysis is done by 10:00 am Eastern time, using data from the F-15 satellite from previous evening (equator crossing time about 9:20 pm).
• NGDC is not staffed at night or on weekends, so occassionally data receipt is delayed. This product is not yet considered operational.
• Detecting true fires from false detects, especially in high moonlight situations, can be difficult. This product is currently undergoing validation.

The DMSP/OLS product has been temporarily discontinued pending further validation and development.
To view the other SSD fire products, please visit our SSD Fire Web-GIS page.