Data and data sources

AFIS makes use of Rapid Response data from the Land, Atmosphere Near real-time Capability for EOS (LANCE) system operated by NASA's Earth Science Data and Information System (ESDIS) with funding provided by NASA Headquarters. We would like to acknowledge and express our gratitude to the relevant parties.

The data used in this application is downloaded from the satellite once per orbit and is therefore delayed by up to 3 hours.

** VIIRS 30 Minute Active fires now added over South Africa.

• Daily VIIRS Fire Data: We receive fire detection data daily from the VIIRS satellite over South Africa.
• Afternoon Overpass: The VIIRS satellite typically passes over South Africa in the early to mid-afternoon (local time).
• Fast Processing: At the time of contact, fire detections were processed and made available within 30 minutes of the satellite overpass due to data processing.
• Fire Pixel Display: Detected fire pixels are displayed to the user shortly after the satellite data processing.
• Temporary Access: This feature will be freely available to all users for the next three months.
• Premium Access Afterward: After the three-month period, this near real-time fire detection feature will be exclusive to premium clients.

The AFIS alert system relies on data from the JPSS1 (NOA20), JPSS2 (NOAA21), and SNPP satellites, whose orbits are depicted below.