Burned Area Mapping and Carbon Emmission Estimates for the 2023 Canada Wildfires Based on FY-3D/Mersi-II Observations

Wildfires are essential for the health and regeneration of forest and rangeland ecosystems. However, as climate conditions become hotter and drier, wildfires have grown more intense and destructive. Monitoring wildfires with satellite data is crucial for understanding their extent, severity, and environmental consequences. In this study, we developed a straightforward method to map medium and large burned areas at a monthly scale using FY-3D/MERSI-II observations. First, monthly clear-sky images were composited to provide enhanced distinguishability between burned and unburned areas. Then, a multi-criteria method was used to identify candidate burned areas. Next, image post-processing techniques were implemented to minimize false detections and reduce omission errors. Finally, dNBR (difference Normalized Burn Ratio) of the burned area and biomass carbon density data were combined to obtain an estimation of carbon emissions. This method offers a simple and efficient way to track and analyze burned areas without depending on the positions of active fires. We applied this method to map the 2023 Canada fires, and the results closely align with media reports, enhancing our method’s credibility and utility for wildfire monitoring and assessment.