GINA operates a MODIS ground station that is well suited to identifying, mapping, and visualizing wildfires and smoke over the vast, remote expanse of Alaska.

The MODIS sensor is carried on two NASA satellites, Aqua and Terra. It receives data in 36 spectral bands. These frequency range bands were chosen to address specific user needs. GINA and the Alaska Fire Service produce a number of products using spectral band combinations that are useful for fire management. GINA receives between 15 and 20 MODIS overpasses each day. These passes are 2,330-km wide and up to 10,000-km long. GINA’s extensive holdings can be browsed using the SwathViewer tool.

GINA works closely with the BLM Alaska Fire Service to provide real time imagery to fire management teams. The Alaska Fire Service uses the infrared (IR) spectral bands received by MODIS to find new fires and map wildfire extents. The natural color MODIS images are used to visually identify smoke and fire. This data is especially useful when infrared imaging airplanes are grounded by thick smoke from fires, as occurred during the summers of 2004 and 2005. At this time, MODIS imagery became an extremely important tool for fire management teams.

For additional information, please email to info@gina.alaska.edu.

This is a public service in cooperation with the Alaska Fire Service provided with funding from the University of Alaska, UAF Geophysical Institute, AmericaView, and NSF ESPCoR.