International Archives of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. Vol. XXXII Part 7C2. UNISPACE III, Vienna. 1999 
113 
I5PR5 
NSws 
UNISPACE III - ISPRS/EARSeL Workshop on 
“Remote Sensing for the Detection, Monitoring 
and Mitigation of Natural Disasters” 
2:30-5:30 pm, 22 July 1999, VIC Room B 
Vienna, Austria 
fire risk and location of areas with the highest fire hazard 
potential. In such areas the necessary preventive action can be 
undertaken. 
Both meteorological NOAA-AVHRR and land remote sensing 
satellite data can be used to spatially locate forest fire areas. Due 
to their low spatial resolution, small forest fires cannot normally 
be detected on the meteorological satellite images. Whether fires 
smaller than the pixel size can be detectable by the sensor will 
depending on their size and intensity. SPOT and Landsat data 
derived in the infrared and thermal bands are veiy useful for 
detecting and monitoring the extent of fires. 
The usefulness of satellite data for this purpose was verified in 
August 1992 when the largest forest fire ever experienced in 
Poland occurred in the Upper Silesia region and w'as observed on 
satellite images. The way the fire spread was exceptional for 
local conditions, and was evidenced by the very rapid increase of 
the burning area. On 26th August the area burnt was 600 ha, 
while on 30th August the area burnt was over 9,000 ha. 
For determining tlie burnt areas, both ERS radar data. SPOT XS 
and panchromatic data were applied. Generally, the extent of the 
fire was determined with the same accuracy' on both types of 
data. However, small clumps of trees which survived could be 
better distinguished on SPOT images, because of the high near- 
infrared reflectance. A spatial information system was created of 
the area in the Institute of Geodesy and Cartography. Satellite 
images and forest maps were converted to digital form and 
entered into the data base along with relevant forest inventory 
data. This system permitted determination of the structure of 
destroyed stands according to the age classes, species 
composition, site quality, canopy closure and stand density. The 
total loss of timber caused by the fire was about 1.4 million cubic 
metres and the financial loss was about US$ 250 million 
GIS systems based on satellite data supported by other thematic 
data are very useful in proper forest management. The use of 
multitemporal satellite images also facilitates the monitoring of 
recultivation and reforestation efforts, as well as the regeneration 
of natural forests. In the case of fire hazards, after the fire source 
lias been located on the digital forest map, the parameters and 
description of the endangered forest stands can be displayed. 
This facilitates fire fighting intervention. 
region is the main environmental problem, with emissions of dust 
and other pollutants many times higher than in other countries. 
With regard to water waste, the appraisal is similarly 
unfavourable. The majority of waterways are unsuitable for use 
as sources for drinking w-ater. This region belongs to the areas of 
the highest forest damage. 
Due to these circumstances, the special PHARE programme was 
established by the above mentioned three countries. Witliin tliis 
programme, the Polish partners created the data base which 
comprises several layers of information. The georeferenced 
system is based on satellite images supported by a Digital 
Terrain Model. The results of air monitoring systems are also 
incorporated in the data base. Using the Digital Terrain Model 
(DTM) as a base and combined with other hydrometeorological 
data, a flooding forecasting model was prepared. 
SUMMARY 
All of the above examples indicate the significant utility of 
remote sensing data for monitoring, prediction and protection 
against the effects of environmental disasters. They exhibit the 
urgent need for very close international cooperation, and the 
establishment of the common programmes and systems for early 
warning. 
OTHER APPLICATIONS 
Another example of remote sensing application for natural 
disaster monitoring and forecasting is the so called Black 
Triangle project conducted by the European Commission witliin 
the PHARE programme. The brown coal belt, which forms the 
heart of the Black Triangle, stretches from Lower Silesia in 
Poland, to Southern Saxony in Germany and Northern Bohemia 
in the Czech Republic. The Black Triangle is now Europe's most 
polluted region. It covers an area of only 32,400 square 
kilometres and lias 6.4 million inhabitants. Air pollution in this