Technical Details
The data shown on this map is the fire location product detected by the Terra and Aqua MODIS satellite sensors. The dataset is delivered via the Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS). The data is processed and made publically available by the Land, Atmosphere Near real-time Capability for Earth Observation (LANCE). FIRMS was developed by the University of Maryland, with funds from NASA’s Applied Sciences Program and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, to provide near real-time active fire locations to natural resource managers that faced challenges obtaining timely satellite-derived fire information. Near real-time fire data, as well as historical data, is available in a variety of formats. Each active fire location represents the center of a 1km pixel that is flagged by the algorithm as containing one or more fires within the pixel.
Analysis
This product was created after reports of more than 1,000 hectares of wheat crop, and olive and pistachio orchids, in north Hama, being burned. According to reports, the burning is a common method used by armed groups in an attempt to destroy any cover that can be used by attacking forces. In some cases the fires were started by soldiers igniting the wheat, and in other cases it was ignited by indirect fire targeting checkpoints. These incidents can have a severe impact households that lose their source of income as they rely on the harvest season of wheat to support their families, and for seeds to be used during the next planting season. There is also evidence of uprooting and burning of olive and fruit trees in particular along the main road axes. This information is obtained from FAO and FAO partners observers / experts. It should be mentioned that this product does not verify HOW the fires were started, but it does verify that fires are occurring in agricultural areas