Identification of fire changes using thermal IR images: the case of coal-waste dumps

Abstract

Coal-waste dumps’ fires are a major environmental threat. They are usually subsurface fires, characterized by a long process and flameless combustion. This phenomenon is difficult to predict, locate, and eliminate. Current monitoring methods don’t allow sufficient reaction to prevent the fire development To better understand the phenomenon of dumps’ fires, a series of aerial and ground thermal infrared photos were taken. They covered the area of a selected dump with active coal-waste fire. A comparative analysis of the obtained images in time and space was performed. Aerial photographs were compared to the ground ones. Trends in fire variability have been identified.