MODIS Active Fires

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aboard Terra and Aqua satellites detects thermal anomalies at 1 km resolution. MODIS fire data are obtained from NASA's Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS).

VIIRS Active Fires

The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on Suomi NPP and NOAA-20 provides fire detections at 375 m resolution — nearly 3x finer than MODIS — enabling detection of smaller and lower-temperature fires.

Coverage Area

Our monitoring covers all of Madagascar, with focused analysis on key protected areas including Ankarafantsika, Menabe Antimena, and Itremo where fire dynamics directly impact conservation efforts.

Fire Detection Process

1

Satellite Pass

MODIS and VIIRS instruments scan Madagascar multiple times daily, measuring thermal radiation.

2

Processing

NASA FIRMS processes the data to identify thermal anomalies consistent with active fires.

3

Analysis

AFO combines fire point data with protected area boundaries and land cover to assess impact.