The NOAA/NESDIS Wildland Fire Program: A New Initiative for Impactful Exploitation of Satellites in Support of Wildland Fire Applications

Wildland fire management is increasingly challenging. NOAA is a leader in science and technology used by the wildland fire community, and is dedicated to understanding and predicting weather and climate, saving lives, and protecting property. Its mission serves a variety of audiences, including land management agencies, emergency response partners, the private sector, and the public. In support of wildland fire service delivery that keeps pace with the growing challenge, the NOAA National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) has established a Wildland Fire Program, the purpose of which is to leverage NOAA governance structures to (1) maintain a unified NESDIS approach to wildland fire; (2) efficiently deliver actionable information and analysis ready data in support of wildland fire mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery; (3) effectively manage wildland fire partnerships in coordination with the NOAA Fire Observation, Research, and Services Team (FOReST); and (4) pilot new service delivery processes. NESDIS Wildland Fire Program projects, aimed at addressing critical active fire capability gaps, are underway, with new product and service demonstrations expected to begin by June 2023. This presentation will provide an overview of the NESDIS Wildland Fire Program, including emerging capabilities for wildland fire applications, such as early fire detection, incident awareness and assessment, and smoke forecasting.