Fire Imaging -- PSW is developing new technology to monitor the progress and intensity of major wildland fires and their impacts on the environment. Remote sensing instruments now used in fire operations are nationally deployed - and thus may not be readily available to a given incident - or lack the dynamic range necessary to measure the very bright infrared light emitted from major wildfires. New technology is needed to measure the intensity and dynamics of fire fronts - properties that affect the rate of fire spread, smoke production, and forest damage - and make fire information readily and widely available.

PSW is now flying the FireMapper™ thermal-imaging radiometer to map and monitor major wildfires in partnership with the Forest Service's Pacific Southwest Region. Based on modern night-vision technology, the FireMapper is designed to accurately map fire intensity and provide fire intelligence to improve firefighter safety, make fire fighting more effective, and reduce wildfire damage to natural resources and society. Imaging with the FireMapper system is also being tested for use in burned-area rehabilitation. FireMapper and associated mapping cameras are deployed aboard the PSW Airborne Sciences Aircraft, N70Z, which is a twin engine Piper Navajo.

Forest Mapping -- PSW is using high-quality digital cameras (sensitive to the visible and near-infrared spectrum) to monitor forest health. Filters are employed to differentiate between the strong infrared reflectance of healthy vegetation and the strong red reflectance of dead vegetation. Diseased, stressed, or scorched vegetation has weaker infrared reflectance than healthy vegetation.

Mapping areas of dead and dying vegetation provides vital support for agencies working to assess and mitigate fire danger.