The graphic to the right shows the on-ground
resolution or pixel size of three earth resource
satellites (1) MODIS with each pixel 250×250
metres, Landsat 28×28 metres and the Sentinel-2
satellite with up to a 10 x 10-metre resolution.
The on-ground resolution has significant
implications for a satellite’s ability to accurately
map on-ground fire activity.
Forr example, the graphic below shows an aerial incendiary run from the 8th May 2020 near Wunambalgaambera contry. On the 20m Sentinel-2 image (left) the incendiary line very clearly appears in red. Importantly what is also clear is where there are holes/breaks in the burn line that fires could creep through. None of this is clear on the 250m resolution MODIS imagery.
It is clear from the example above that Landsat imagery provides the most detail for
mapping burnt areas from satellite. However, there are two primary limiting factors for using
Landsat imagery for daily fire monitoring. First is its relatively small spatial extent, and
second, it’s low temporal resolution.