Gepubliceerd op 20 april 2020
Rising to the challenge of remote working, teams within EUMETSAT were able to successfully implement a new and improved Near-Real Time (NRT) Fire Radiative Power (FRP) product from Copernicus Sentinel-3.
A great example of internal coordination and effective communication during these unsettled times, the NRT FRP product is the first Copernicus Sentinel-3 atmospheric product for which EUMETSAT is fully responsible for its implementation into operations.
Fires and their resulting smoke are a major source of air pollution, releasing aerosols and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere that can travel for hundreds to thousands of kilometres (as illustrated by the fires in the Western Balkans in the image below). These pollutants can be hazardous to health and so it is important to have accurate NRT data available in order for users to forecast the air quality situation in the days ahead.
One of the key users of this product are the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS), who are responsible for tracking the intensity and emissions of wildfires around the world. EUMETSAT and CAMS have a long-standing cooperation, with EUMETSAT having developed an operational Copernicus data stream to CAMS and providing its satellite data and products in order for them to provide accurate and timely air-quality forecasts across the globe.