This project aims to determine how the dryness of different forest fuel layers (canopy, elevated fuel, near surface, surface, and litter) is captured and represented in freely available satellite images of different spatial resolutions. Once we understand how these satellites 'see' the dryness of different fuel types and how fuel dryness changes over time, we can design new algorithms and satellite products for wildfire prevention in fire-prone ecosystems as well as making better use of those already existing.

We will select field validation sites across NSW and will use high-resolution satellite imagery to develop the algorithms. Algorithms will then be tested on Sentinel-2, Landsat, AVIIRS, and Himawari-8 imagery to examine the contribution of each forest layer to satellite-derived products.

(Image: Adobe Stock Photo)