Remote sensing and GIS tools to support vegetation fire management in developing countries

Fire is involved to some extent in clearance of vegetation for agriculture, logging access, settlement and poaching. When used inappropriately, fire events may adversely affect ecosystems and alter atmospheric conditions. In developing countries resources to monitor fire activities are usually limited (e.g., staff, material, budget), and little information is generally available at regional and/or national level. Earth observation remote sensing and GIS technologies are the most practical and feasible means to efficiently monitor biomass burning events at regional and global scale. NRI is conducting ongoing research and operational work to provide developing countries with tools to carry out timely, integrated vegetation fire management. Various low cost techniques are used: vegetation status and active fires are monitored through direct reception of NOAA-AVHRR data, and production of thematic information is carried out by the integration of fire information with local environmental knowledge. This paper describes areas of research and current tools used in Indonesia and Nicaragua to support natural resources managers. It illustrates the usefulness of direct reception of satellite data to forestry departments and associated line agencies, and underlines the challenges that have to be overcome in developing countries.