Satellite Data Aids Forest Fire Detection and Monitoring in Nepal
Forest fires have adverse ecological and economic effects and are a major concern in many countries, including Nepal. During the long, dry summers, Nepal experiences many forest fires. In 2016, a record number of fires were reported killing 15 people and consuming an area of 13,000 square kilometers (1.3 hectares) in the span of just two weeks. The frequency and severity of these fires highlight the need for public officials to quickly communicate information about forest fires to vulnerable communities to prevent the loss of life and mitigate environmental damage. Map generated by the Forest Fire Detection and Monitoring tool on May 1, 2018. Registered users can download forest fire incidence maps that are generated by the system daily. (Photo: ICIMOD) To address this challenge, SERVIR-Hindu Kush Himalaya at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) in close collaboration with the Department of Forests of Nepal, developed a satellite-based forest fire...