Several hot spots and smoke plumes are recorded by
OSEI with the NOAA AVHRR Sensor on 15 December 1998. On 15 December the Florida
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Forestry reports 4 wildfires
with a total burned area of 18 acres (ca 5 ha) at http://flame.doacs.state.fl.us/daily/
There seems to be a discrepancy between the satellite imagery and the
reported area burned by wildfires. The satellite scene provided by OSEI shows high
temperature events (associated with smoke plumes) which cover several pixels each on the
scene (each pixel represents an area of one square kilometer). This discrepancy is
currently further invetigated This will include the possibility of large prescribed burns
which (theoretically) may spread over large areas (but highly unlikely).
Fig.1. NOAA image of the vegetation fires in Florida 15
December 1998
(Source: NOAA http://www.osei.noaa.gov/)
See footnote at the end of this daily update: fire signatures in the Southeast must be
interpreted carefully!
NATIONAL INTERAGENCY COORDINATION CENTER SITUATION REPORT
http://www.nifc.gov/news/sitreprt.html
CURRENT SITUATION:
Cooler temperatures, higher humidities and generally cloudy skies over the Southern Area
have moderated fire activity.
OUTLOOK:
Virginia and North Carolina will be dry, except for a chance of showers Saturday and
Sunday. Breezy northwest winds are expected on Sunday. High temperatures will range from
50 (10°C) to 60 (15°C) degrees.
Southern California will be dry and locally breezy with gusty northwest winds on
Monday. Santa Ana winds are possible Tuesday and Wednesday. High temperatures will range
from the 40's (4°C) in the mountains to the lower 70's (21°C) in the valleys.
An excellent Wildfire Season Forecast for Florida can be seen under this link: 1998-1999 Florida Wildfire Season Forecast
Some remarks to the NOAA AVHRR satellite imagery: The "hotspots" detected in
the Southeast must not necessarily be wildfires. At this time of the years prescribed
burning activities are picking up. For more information on the extent of prescribed
burning in the U.S.A. please visit the last issue of International Forest Fire News.
