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The WildfireService provides real-time active fire detection data from NASA’s Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS), using VIIRS and MODIS satellite sensors.

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Base Path

/api/wildfire/v1

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Endpoints

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ListFireDetections

Retrieves satellite-detected active fires from NASA FIRMS with confidence scores and brightness values. HTTP Method: GET Path: /api/wildfire/v1/list-fire-detections

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Request Parameters

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hours
number
default:"24"
Time window in hours for fire detections (1-48)
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min_confidence
number
default:"50"
Minimum confidence threshold (0-100). VIIRS uses nominal/low/high, MODIS uses percentage.
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region
string
Optional geographic filter: global, americas, europe, asia, africa, oceania

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Response Fields

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detections
array
Array of fire detection events
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total_count
number
Total number of fire detections in response
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source
string
Data source: NASA_FIRMS_VIIRS or NASA_FIRMS_MODIS

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Example Request

curl "https://worldmonitor.app/api/wildfire/v1/list-fire-detections?hours=24&min_confidence=75&region=americas"

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Example Response

{
  "detections": [
    {
      "latitude": 34.52,
      "longitude": -118.24,
      "brightness": 362.5,
      "scan": 0.42,
      "track": 0.42,
      "acq_date": "2024-03-01",
      "acq_time": "1830",
      "satellite": "NOAA-20",
      "confidence": "high",
      "version": "2.0NRT",
      "bright_t31": null,
      "frp": 12.8,
      "daynight": "D"
    }
  ],
  "total_count": 1,
  "source": "NASA_FIRMS_VIIRS"
}

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Data Sources

  • NASA FIRMS: Fire Information for Resource Management System
  • VIIRS: Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (375m resolution)
  • MODIS: Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (1km resolution)

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Use Cases

Monitor active wildfires globally with near-real-time satellite detections for emergency response and evacuation planning.
Track controlled burns and agricultural fires that may impact air quality or signal land-use changes.
Identify fires near critical infrastructure (power lines, pipelines, datacenters) for risk assessment.
Aggregate fire activity over time to track deforestation, peatland fires, and climate-related fire season changes.

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Notes

VIIRS has higher spatial resolution (375m) than MODIS (1km), making it better for detecting smaller fires.
Fire detections are near-real-time but not instant. Satellite overpass schedules mean fires may be detected 3-6 hours after ignition.
High brightness values (>400K) often indicate very intense fires or industrial heat sources (gas flares, steel mills).

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