Surficial Material Mapping of Post-Burn Areas using AVIRIS and HyMap Data

T.M. Hoefen and R.F. Kokaly

U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado 80225, USA

Wildland fires are becoming larger and more frequent in the United States, Australia, and
all over the world. As these fires burn larger areas, including populated areas, it is
important to understand the effects the fires have on the landscape. Between January 1,
2007, and January 1, 2010, there were 312 fires with a burn area of greater then 1.2 km2
in California, USA, that consumed over 12,000 km2 of total surface cover. During this
time, hyperspectral data were collected over two of the larger burn areas using two
different imaging spectrometers. On November 15, 2007, the HyMap sensor collected
data over the Harris Fire burn area in southern California. The Harris Fire burned
approximately 366 km2 of land along the California/Mexico border. On October 6, 2009,
the Airborne Visible and Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) collected data over
the Station Fire burn area in southern California. The Station Fire was located in Los
Angeles County, California, and had a burn area of approximately 650 km2. Both
hyperspectral datasets were converted to reflectance using a combination of ground-
calibration techniques and radiative transfer software.

Ground samples from seven sites were collected within the Harris Fire burn area, and
thirty sites were sampled in and around the Station Fire burn area. Laboratory spectra
were measured for all ash and soil samples, and the spectra were incorporated into a
spectral library. The spectral libraries were convolved to both HyMap and AVIRIS
wavelengths. Using spectral feature comparison tools, surface materials maps were
generated for each burn area based on a material’s unique spectral characteristics. The
resulting maps show ash/char abundance, green and partially burned vegetation, and the
mineral composition of exposed soil. These maps, along with their potential use in
understanding fires effect on the landscape, will be discussed.