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A software program that quickly and automatically detects and maps fires from high-resolution commercial overhead imagery

The U.S. Navy seeks to commercialize U.S. Patent Application 12/777,349 (Method for detecting and mapping fires using features extracted from overhead imagery).

Background

During wildfire disasters, image analysts assist emergency responders by detecting fires in aerial and satellite imagery. Current automated fire detection systems for satellite imagery use low-resolution imagery. For example, MODIS produces one-kilometer resolution images. As a result, large fires and small fires up to one square kilometer appear to be the same size. Current systems that use high-resolution satellite imagery lack automation and require image analysts to manually search for fires, consuming valuable time.

The Technology

The RAPIER Fire Detection System (FDS) is a software program that provides an automated solution for detecting and mapping fires from high-resolution satellite imagery, outputting small-sized, high-quality files that are easy to e-mail or FTP. RAPIER FDS uses complex image processing algorithms to quickly, accurately, and automatically search the visible bands of an image for fires and smoke. In cases of thick smoke, the algorithms analyze the image’s near-infrared and/or shortwave infrared bands to locate thermal “hot spots” behind the smoke. The results are output as a shapefile, outlining detected fires on the processed image; and a geo-referenced file, mapping the precise size and location of detected fires onto Google Earth™. Overall, RAPIER FDS provides increased situational awareness for the first responder.

Key Benefits

Development Status

For more information on technology transfer, please contact us at (619) 553–5118 or email ssc_pac_t2@navy.mil

SD 960, July 2010. SSC Pacific, San Diego, CA 92152–5001. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.