@article{fdi:010095769,
  title = {{S}mall fires, big gap : high-resolution {VIIRS} data reveal widespread underestimation of emissions in sub-{S}aharan {A}frica},
  author = {{O}uattara, {B}. and {T}hiel, {M}. and {M}ouillot, {F}lorent and {C}hevallier, {F}. and {S}ponholz, {B}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{F}ires across sub-{S}aharan {A}frica ({SSA}) are a dominant source of global carbon emissions, yet their true magnitude remains uncertain due to the limitations of coarse-resolution satellite products. {I}n this study, we developed a high-resolution fire emission inventory prototype for {SSA} using active fire detections from the {VIIRS} sensor (375?m) and a top-down approach based on fire radiative power ({FRP}). {E}missions were estimated through the integration of {FRP} to fire radiative energy ({FRE}), conversion to dry matter burned using biome-specific combustion coefficients, and application of emission factors for carbon dioxide. {A} parallel {MODIS}-based dataset was also produced using the same methodology to isolate sensor-specific effects. {T}o evaluate detection and modelling differences, the {VIIRS}-based


product ({VIIRS}-{EM}) was compared against six widely used global fire emission inventories. {I}n addition, a subset of emissions from small fires (defined as {FRP} < 10?{MW}) was derived and assessed separately. {O}ver the period 2013-2022, {VIIRS}-{EM} estimated average annual carbon emissions of 3.0 {P}g {C}, which is 50-75?% higher than most {MODIS}-based inventories. {E}mission hotspots were identified in agricultural and savanna regions, particularly in {W}est and {C}entral {A}frica. {S}mall fires contributed significantly to early and late fire-season emissions and revealed widespread underestimation in existing products. {O}ur findings underscore the importance of high-resolution detection and {FRP}-based modelling for capturing the full extent of {A}frican fire activity. {T}he {VIIRS}-{EM} inventory provides improved spatial and temporal resolution, with implications for atmospheric composition modelling, greenhouse gas accounting, and regional fire policy development.},
  keywords = {{AFRIQUE} {SUBSAHARIENNE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{G}eomatica},
  volume = {77},
  numero = {2},
  pages = {100069 [16 ]},
  ISSN = {1195-1036},
  year = {2025},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.geomat.2025.100069},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010095769},
}