Shana Gross, fire ecologist and science leader of wildfire research at the Bioeconomy Science Institute, explains that fuel is an important aspect of fire behaviour and leveraging satellite data will help fill a gap. Understanding moisture levels in fuels using regular on the ground measurements and linking those with the satellite data and other remotely sensed datasets will enable enhanced accuracy in moisture detection across New Zealand’s diverse landscapes.

Why this research matters?

Accurate knowledge of vegetation characteristics, including LFMC, are critical for assessing fire risk across the landscape. Vegetation type and percent moisture influence ignition potential and fire spread. Traditional ground-based measurements are labour-intensive and limited in scope, but this remote sensing approach offers scalable, near-real-time insights.

The research, supported by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), underscores the growing role of combining field data and satellite date in environmental monitoring. By integrating advanced modelling with satellite imagery, the team aims to provide land manager s, planners and emergency services with actionable data to mitigate wildfire impacts.