What size fires can be detected?
In any given scene the minimum detectable fire size is a function of many different variables (scan angle, biome, sun position, land surface temperature, cloud cover, amount of smoke and wind direction, etc.), so the precise value will vary slightly with these conditions. Stage 1 validation has been achieved through analysis of a small number of ASTER (high resolution satellite) data over selected regions and time periods, combined with simulation results. These results indicate that in many biomes the minimum flaming (~800-1000K) fire size typically detectable at 50% probability with MODIS is on the order of 100m2. Under ideal conditions performance is somewhat better. Such conditions occur when a fire is observed at (or near) nadir on a fairly homogeneous surface, no other significant fires are nearby, and the scene is free of clouds, heavy smoke and sun glint. In these circumstances the smallest flaming fire that can be routinely detected (i.e. near 100% probability of detection) is
