Fire Events not detected

Are you wondering why a fire event might not have been detected in or near your monitored area?

Satellite-based fire detection, while powerful, does face some inherent limitations. Below are the primary reasons why a fire may go undetected by the Wildfire Solution.

Cloud Cover

Cloud cover can significantly hinder fire detection, as dense clouds obscure the satellite’s view. When a thick layer of clouds blocks heat anomalies, it becomes challenging for satellite sensors to detect fires accurately.

To learn how to check cloudiness conditions at time of overpasses, please refer to this article.

Fire Size Limitations

Small fires may remain undetected by satellites if they do not generate enough heat to be visible from space. Within the Wildfire Solution, LEO satellites are capable of detecting heat sources as small as 10x10 meters*; however, fires below this threshold may go unnoticed.

^{** Reference numbers for fires detected in Canopy type Land Cover}

Detection Delays

Detection delays can occur due to satellite coverage and data transmission times. In the Wildfire Solution, fire detections are available within 3 minutes after satellite data is received. However, GEO satellite updates are received every 30 minutes, while LEO satellites update every 60-90 minutes. These update intervals can impact how promptly fire detections appear in the system.

To understand more about LEO and GEO satellites, please refer to this article.

Fire Extinguished Before Detection

Some fires are extinguished too quickly for satellites to detect them. Fires that occur during "detection gaps”—a time when no LEO satellites pass over the monitored area—are particularly challenging to capture. If these fires are extinguished promptly, they may go undetected.

If you want to know more about detection times, check out our article on when to expect more data.

At OroraTech we are constantly working to enhance the available technology's capabilities to overcome the current challenges for satellite-based fire detection.

Visit our website to learn more about our advancements in overcoming current detection challenges.