Using Satellite Data to Monitor Fires, Including Those Caused by Hostilities on the Territory of Ukraine

This chapter describes the technical and scientific aspects of satellite infrared remote sensing of the Earth's surface to detect thermal anomalies, i.e., surface areas with atypically high surface temperature. Such temperatures are produced by fires in open areas and some industrial enterprises. In this work, we present the methodology for detecting large and potentially dangerous fires by processing thermal anomalies. Also, we perform the spatial and temporal distribution of thermal anomalies and fires on the territory of Ukraine as well as comparative analysis of the fire situation in Ukraine and the EU countries. Next, we briefly explain the functioning algorithm of the System for Monitoring Heat Emissions and Detecting Potentially Hazardous Fires, developed at the UHMI during 2020–2022. At the end of the section, we describe the fires resulting from the hostilities caused by the Russian military invasion of Ukraine. Moreover, we provide the methodology for detecting such fires and their separation from ones having economic and negligent origins. Lastly, we describe the characteristics of fires caused by military operations.