Nasa's Aviris-3 Sensor Aids Firefighters with Real-Time Fire Mapping

NASA's AVIRIS-3 sensor provides real-time data for firefighters. It helped contain a 120-acre fire in Alabama. - The AVIRIS-3 detected the fire near Castleberry, Alabama, before it was reported. - The sensor identified the most intensely burning areas. - Data was sent to firefighters' phones, showing the fire's perimeter. This process took only a few minutes. The data helped firefighters gauge the fire's potential spread. It also helped them decide where to allocate resources. - AVIRIS-3 flew at 9,000 feet during NASA's 2025 FireSense Airborne Campaign. - Researchers mapped 13 wildfires and prescribed burns in real-time. - Simplified algorithms enabled rapid data processing on the plane. Airborne satellite internet allowed immediate image distribution. The AVIRIS team created Fire Quicklook maps. These maps identify the relative intensity of burning. - The Fire 2400 nm Quicklook map shows hot spots and fire perimeters. - Firefighters used AVIRIS-3 maps to establish fire breaks. - This technology helps firefighters stay ahead of fast-moving fires.