Needs of Near Real-Time Data: Perspectives for Supporting Disaster Observations -- Wildfires

Between 2004 and 2010, the Wildfire Research and Applications Partnership (WRAP), a joint NASA / US Forest Service project, matured, demonstrated and transitioned innovative technologies and capabilities for real-time information data delivery to Incident Management Teams on wildland fires in the United States. The capabilities included the development of innovative unmanned airborne systems (UAS), multispectral sensors, on-board, real-time processing, and a COTS-driven visualization and common operating picture (COP) capability. The UAS airborne element involved demonstrating a medium-altitude, large payload capacity, long-duration, Unmanned Airborne Systems (UAS) the NASA Ikhana (Predator-B derivative). The sensor system, a redesigned Daedalus AADS1268 line-scanner with 16 spectral channels (VIS-IR-TIR), was further modified to allow long-duration mission capabilities, and full on-board geo-rectification and second-generation product development for delivery through a UAS / SatCom / Ground data telemetry system. The COP, the Collaborative Decision Environment (CDE) based on a mash-up of wildfire intelligence data in GoogleEarth, enabled operational use of the real-time UAS-acquired sensor data, along with other critical geospatial fire / weather data for incident management team use and visualization. The CDE allowed the shared integration of various additional asset information sets (satellite, other airborne sensor data, and ground condition information, comprising a simplified sensor web concept design. All of these capabilities and advancements are described from both a development and “end-user” perspective. The wildfire management agency end-users (primarily the U.S. Forest Service), are currently adopting some of these capabilities into operational utility. An assessment of the gaps in adaptation will also be addressed.