So wildfires need three things:
fuel, proper conditions, and a source of ignition.
And many times, wildfire is essential for a healthy forest ecosystem
Problem is, the conditions that are favorable for fire,
like hot, dry, and windy days,
are becoming more and more common as our climate changes.
And that's not good.
NASA can track these conditions
and inform land managers when an area appears prone to wildfire.
Additionally, satellites operated by NASA and other partners
can detect fires’ heat signature, especially at night, and provide
this data to land managers to help track a fire’s evolution.
NASA’s ability to not only track wildfires,
but also the conditions that lead to them,
is essential to our ability to mitigate their impacts.