A Deeper Look at Space Technology in Wildfire Management: It Is Not Limited to Fire Suppression

A Deeper Look at Space Technology in Wildfire Management: It Is Not Limited to Fire Suppression

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Recently, wildfires have once again become more severe in some areas, and this trend may be a significant factor contributing to increased levels of PM2.5 air pollution, which affects the health of people in nearby areas.

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Thailand has over 320 million rai of land, of which more than 100 million rai are forest areas and nearly 150 million rai are agricultural areas, all of which are vulnerable to burning. Monitoring and observing wildfires or large-scale burning in these areas is challenging! Over the years, satellite technology, acting as eyes from the sky, has been used as a tool to monitor and observe abnormalities occurring in Thailand. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) has consistently used space technology to monitor and manage wildfires, particularly by collecting hotspot data, for over 20 years.

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Beginning with 9 provinces in northern Thailand, GISTDA now monitors wildfires and burning activities throughout Thailand and neighboring countries (Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam).

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Regarding the use of space technology in wildfire management, Surassawadee Phoompanich, Ph.D. , a geoinformatics specialist in the Natural Disaster Management Division, Office of Geoinformatics Development & Application at GISTDA, explains that the data are divided into two parts: hotspot data and burned area data.

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Hotspot data comes from five satellites. Initially, data from the Terra and Aqua satellites, equipped with the MODIS system and a spatial resolution of 1,000 meters, were used. This means that one hotspot could be detected per square kilometer. The advantage of using these two satellites is that they pass over Thailand approximately twice a day. Together, these satellites enable the monitoring of areas in Thailand and neighboring countries up to four times a day.

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Subsequently, satellites using the VIIRS system from the Suomi NPP satellite, with a resolution of 375 meters, were used. This resulted in a detection efficiency nine times better than before. This satellite also passes over Thailand and neighboring countries twice a day. Currently, the NOAA-20 and NOAA-21 satellites, which also utilize the VIIRS system similar to Suomi NPP, are being used, increasing the frequency of burning detection. Each satellite passes over Thailand twice a day. By integrating data from all five satellites, GISTDA can now monitor up to 10 times a day in Thailand, significantly enhancing the efficiency of monitoring and situational surveillance.

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Regarding burned area data, GISTDA previously utilized data from the Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 satellites, with a 30-meter pixel resolution, to monitor and analyze burned areas in both forested and non-forested areas. These satellites orbit the same location every 16 days. However, with the current Sentinel-2 satellite technology, which has a resolution of 10 meters per pixel and which consists of up to three satellites (Sentinel-2A, Sentinel-2B, and Sentinel-2C), burned areas can be monitored every 3-5 days. This dataset provides clear evidence of the size and spatial extent of burned areas and can be used to verify hotspots detected in each area.

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Both types of data are provided by GISTDA through the GISTDA Disaster Platform, a decision support system for disaster management, via a web application. https://disaster.gistda.or.th provides near-real-time data recorded during and after fire events. This supports immediate management and short-term area planning. However, when these data are collected over several years, they can be used for long-term monitoring, analysis, and planning for recurring burned areas, enabling pre-burning monitoring in subsequent years.

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Dr. Surassawadee explained that the hotspot data published through GISTDA's wildfire system originates from NASA FIRMS, which compiles hotspot data from NASA's Earth observation satellites. These data are then processed with other geographic information, allowing for more precise spatial identification. For example, the system pinpoints the location of a hotspot by subdistrict, district, or province; categorizes the area as forest or agricultural land; identifies the responsible agency to facilitate monitoring and coordination at the local level; and determines the proximity of the hotspot to villages. In case of fire spread, if village volunteers are aware of this dataset, they will know the fire's location and can respond promptly. This includes linking Google Maps navigation for accessing areas.

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This is a key feature of GISTDA’s wildfire monitoring system, and the data are currently used across nearly all ministries, as well as in educational institutions, research agencies, and the private sector.

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Dr. Surassawadee explained that data from the wildfire system is currently being used in various sectors. For example, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives uses it to monitor areas prone to burning, such as sugarcane fields or rice paddies, and to implement related measures. In the public health sector, the data are used to assess whether frequently burned areas are located near schools or communities with young children or individuals with respiratory illnesses. This information supports the planning of protective measures, such as the distribution of face masks or the establishment of dust-free rooms. Local authorities may also use the data to prevent the burning of agricultural waste by promoting alternative uses or facilitating market opportunities for such materials. In the private sector, organizations such as the Office of Cane and Sugar (OCS) collaborate with sugarcane mills to encourage the purchase of unburned agricultural products. Therefore, GISTDA’s satellite technology plays a crucial role in supporting the aforementioned measures by using satellite imagery to monitor agricultural plots, especially those cultivating rice, sugarcane, and corn for animal feed.

However, a clear example of the use of satellite data in monitoring and managing burned areas is the case of the fire in rice paddies in Pak Phli District, Nakhon Nayok Province, in late January 2026. Satellite data from January 25-26, 2026, showed no detected hotspots. By January 27, hotspots were first detected, with surface changes visible from the morning onwards, followed by visible hotspots and dense smoke later in the afternoon. When the burned area was imaged by the THEOS-2 satellite on January 28, satellite images confirmed the burn scars, size, and extent of the burned area, covering approximately 10,000 rai.

Regarding the situation during this year's dry season, Dr. Kampanat Deeudomchan, Head of Natural Disaster Management at GISTDA, stated that 99% of wildfires in Thailand are caused by human activities using fire to hunt animals, gather forest products, and  dispose of agricultural residues to prepare for the next crop cycle. Both rice paddies and sugarcane plantations are significant factors contributing to increased levels of PM2.5 from late December to early February. According to statistical hotspot data for Thailand over the past 5 years (2021-2025), 2023 had the highest number of hotspots, recording 168,468 points, due to drought conditions and insufficient enforcement of laws to control burning. In the year 2022 had the lowest number of hotspots due to the influence of the southwest monsoon bringing moisture during the summer, resulting in rainfall and a decrease to only 45,996 hotspots. This is similar to 2025, when rainfall in late March and early April significantly led to a decline in burned areas and levels of PM2.5.

It is projected that the burning situation in 2026 may not be as severe as in 2023, as Thailand's climate is expected to remain relatively neutral, despite the continued influence of El Niño conditions, coupled with government management measures such as restrictions on open burning in agricultural areas during periods of stagnant air. Government measures include controlling access to natural forests to regulate the collection of forest products. The government has also implemented measures to address wildfires, haze, and fine particulate matter. In agricultural areas, measures promote the utilization of agricultural waste, including providing tools and machinery to support farmers to avoid burning, such as balers and sugarcane strippers. Furthermore, additional measures aim to encourage biomass power plants to purchase agricultural waste and to promote the purchase of corn for animal feed that has not been burned. In addition, a Burncheck system is being prepared to manage open burning in specific areas. This system will cover the time, area, conditions of burning, and control measures to prevent uncontrolled burning.

In forested areas, GISTDA collaborates with agencies under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) to manage and control forest areas at risk of burning. These 14 forest clusters experience recurring fires, and are significant sources of PM2.5 pollution from late February to April. The MNRE plans integrated monitoring points in collaboration with local administrative organizations, the military, communities, and local networks.

Recognizing the various benefits of further developing data for practical use, the wildfire system serves as another example of how space technology, acting as eyes in the sky, can be utilized to survey and monitor anomalies throughout Thailand. If effectively implemented, the system can be significantly beneficial in achieving sustainable solutions to burning practices in Thailand.

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