Methods for monitoring fires.
Methods of fire monitoring
Fire monitoring
monitoring fires is carried out in order to control the occurrence of natural fires, as well as their number, area, and in order to take timely measures to eliminate them.. The data obtained in this way are extremely important when analyzing the situation, in particular, it helps to identify fire outbreaks at an early stage, determine the direction of flame movement, and assess the level of possible threat to populated areas. Monitoring is used for the purpose of fire prevention, detection of forest fires, and also increases the efficiency of extinguishing already existing fires. The main objectives of this type of research are: — fire detection, determination of ignition sites; monitoring and control of fire development; assessment of fire hazard within the season; forecasting the risk of fire occurrence in the long term; assessment of the consequences of fires. Combining images before and after fires makes it possible to identify burnt areas, determine their area at the moment and assess the damage caused.
As part of the implementation of fire monitoringvarious methods are used. Fire detection is based on detecting an increase in local temperature and brightness. When a fire is visually detected, the determination is made based on the presence of such a sign of the presence of a fire source in the viewing area as a smoke plume. At the same time, during monitoring, the identified source is assigned to one or another class. In addition, all data are used to compile statistics. Ground reconnaissance by specially formed groups that patrol the assigned territories and aerial reconnaissance are used to carry out monitoring — it allows monitoring sources from the air.
For the purpose of monitoring fireswith the help of technology (satellite), an algorithm is used to compare temperatures by the intensity of the incoming signal. In this case, the program for reflecting spectral characteristics can be configured specifically, taking into account certain terrain or weather conditions. Different monitoring systems may have different sets of equipment. We will talk about satellites in more detail below. Of course, monitoring should be carried out around the clock, seven days a week, only then can we talk about the effectiveness of fire prevention measures.
Satellite monitoring of forest fires
Satellite monitoring technology has a number of very useful properties, therefore, in addition to the already discussed monitoring tasks, satellite systems can: — determine information channels; isolate clouds and water bodies in the image; — determine areas of potential fires; — determine local spectral features of the surface; — confirm detection data, taking into account territorial features; — provide for the possibility of erroneous recognition. All this contributes to the fastest possible cessation of combustion. The most efficient method of recognition is satellite monitoring of forest fires. This method has undeniable advantages over other methods, such as ground or aerial reconnaissance, since it allows monitoring unguarded areas. The area monitored by the satellite is also much larger, and the time costs are significantly reduced. Detection of fires in images from space is possible due to the difference in temperatures of the earth's surface and the fire source, which, in turn, leads to a difference in the thermal radiation of these objects by thousands of times. Thus, when shooting with thermal equipment with a spatial resolution of 1 km, it is possible to detect a fire source with an area of 100 sq. m, as well as a smoldering zone with an area of 900 sq. m.
Today, for the purpose of satellite monitoring of forest fires, the NOAA series satellites are used, with the AVHRR radiometer, which has a spatial resolution of 1,100 m and a swath of 3,000 km. The EOS series and the Terra and Aqua satellites, which have a built-in MODIS radiometer, are also in demand. The spatial resolution of this radiometer is 250, 500, 1,000 m and a swath of 2,330 km. Data from each of these systems comes at least six times a day. Satellites of these two series can be used both autonomously and jointly. In the second case, it is possible to significantly increase the efficiency of monitoring, since the probability of detecting an outbreak will be more accurate. Data from satellite systems is received either via the Internet or to a special receiving station. In order to protect forests from fires, reception centers equipped with such stations operate on the territory of the Russian Federation. Specialists work with the received data.