The Advanced Fire Information System (AFIS) is an operation alert and mapping system providing near real-time information related to the detection, monitoring and assessment of fires based on satellite data derived from the Terra and Aqua MODIS and Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) satellites.

The main aim of AFIS is to provide information regarding the prediction, detection and assessment of fires using Remote Sensing and GIS technology through an automated near real time Web GIS portal. AFIS forms part of the Wide Area Monitoring Information System (WAMIS) which aims to deliver relevant sensor based information (sensor web) to the local and regional user community in support of effective decision-making.

In 1999 and 2002 NASA launched the Terra and Aqua satellites, which both carries MODIS. These sensors scan the earth eight times a day in 36 spectral bands including a mid infra red band dedicated to fire detection. Coupled with MODIS data, Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) geostationary satellite data are providing fire location information every 15 minutes feeding AFIS to with continuous fire detections day and night.

AFIS has been developed by the CSIR in South Africa while initial funding for the development and implementation of AFIS came from South Africa's biggest power company - ESKOM. Wild land fires underneath power lines can cause flash overs which severely affect industries. Electricity supplier ESKOM implemented AFIS in June 2004, scanning a buffer of 5 km along all transmission lines searching for any fire hot spots at 15 minute time intervals. With the detection a of a fire, email and SMS text messages is created and send to relevant authorities.

Additional to the power company, AFIS provides daily fire alerts to Fire Protection Associations (FPA's) across South Africa as well as numerous organisations across Southern Africa.

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