Readme.txt

========================================================
README: NASA FIRMS MODIS or VIIRS Fire/Hotspot Data Download
========================================================

This zip file will have either one, two or three naming conventions: 
    DL_FIRE_M6.xx if you requested MODIS data (M6 stands for MODIS Collection 6), or 
    DL_FIRE_V1.xx if you requested VIIRS 375m data from S-NPP
    DL_FIRE_J1.xx if you requested VIIRS 375m data from NOAA-20(JPSS-1)


The xx refers to the download request id/number. The zip file contains the data
for the requested dates in your area-of-interest.

If you requested the data in shape file format you will see the following files
contained in your zip:
    fire_xx.dbf
    fire_xx.prj
    fire_xx.shp
    fire_xx.shx
    fire_xx.cpg
    Readme.txt

If you requested the data in CSV format the file name will look like this: 
    fire_.xx.csv
    Readme.txt

Depending on the date range selected you may receive 1 or 2 files containing
Near Real-Time (NRT) data and/or older standard/science quality data. NRT data
are replaced with standard quality data when they are available (usually with
a 2-3 month lag).

-- fire_nrt_M6_xx = MODIS NRT files:(MCD14DL) MODIS Active Fire and Thermal Anomalies
                    product processed by LANCE / FIRMS

-- fire_nrt_V1_xx = VIIRS 375m NRT files:(VNP14IMGTDL) VIIRS Active Fire and Thermal
                    Anomalies product from S-NPP processed by LANCE / FIRMS

-- fire_nrt_J1_xx = VIIRS 375m NRT files:(VJ114IMGDL) VIIRS Active Fire and Thermal
                    Anomalies product from NOAA-20 (JPSS-1) processed by LANCE / FIRMS

-- fire_archive_M6_xx = MODIS standard quality Thermal Anomalies / Fire locations 
                        processed by the University of Maryland with a 3-month
                        lag and distributed by FIRMS. These standard data (MCD14ML) 
                        replace the NRT (MCD14DL) files when available.

-- fire_archive_V1_xx = VIIRS 375m standard Active Fire and Thermal Anomalies product
                        processed by the University of Maryland with a 3-month lag and
                        distributed by FIRMS. These standard data (VNP14IMGTML) replace
                        the NRT files (VNP14IMGTDL ) when available.

PLEASE NOTE the standard quality data is not yet available from FIRMS for NOAA-20

For a list of attribute fields for the MODIS data: 
  https://earthdata.nasa.gov/earth-observation-data/near-real-time/firms/c6-mcd14dl#ed-firms-attributes 

For a list of attribute fields for the VIIRS data: 
  https://earthdata.nasa.gov/earth-observation-data/near-real-time/firms/v1-vnp14imgt#ed-viirs-375m-attributes

For the key differences between the NRT and standard products visit:   
https://earthdata.nasa.gov/faq/firms-faq#ed-nrt-standard.
  
The MODIS and VIIRS fire files are split to ensure users clearly distinguish between 
these two data sources. Should you wish to combine the datasets you will still be 
able to distinguish the source using the Collection / Version field. 

Please note: If your request results in no fire points, the accompanying ZIP file 
will include an empty CSV file with a header, or an empty DBF file. If you believe 
that this has occurred due to an error, please contact us at support@earthdata.nasa.gov.

Visit the NASA FIRMS project website at http://earthdata.nasa.gov/data/nrt-data/firms

========================
PROJECTION INFORMATION
========================
The MODIS and VIIRS fire/hotspot data supplied to you are in the WGS84 Geographic 
projection (the "latitude/longitude projection"). 

==========
IMPORTANT
==========
For further information, please refer to the latest version of the MODIS Fire Users
Guide which can be found via the FIRMS FAQ section (https://earthdata.nasa.gov/faq#ed-firms-faq).

Please note that there is MODIS data missing from several of the data sets. There is 
data missing from end of June to the beginning of July in 2001, 2002 is missing some 
data throughout the data set, 2007 has some missing data from mid August and data is 
missing for part of 21 April 2009, and missing for 22 April 2009. There might also be 
some erroneous data present in the data set. 

Please refer to the disclaimer below.

==============================
DATA CITATION AND DISCLAIMER
==============================
NASA promotes the full and open sharing of all data with the research and applications
communities, private industry, academia, and the general public. Read the NASA Data and
Information Policy. 

If you provide the LANCE / FIRMS data to a third party, we request you follow the
guidelines in the citation and replicate or provide a link to the disclaimer.

CITATION
See: https://earthdata.nasa.gov/earth-observation-data/near-real-time/citation#ed-firms- citation 

DISCLAIMER
The LANCE system is operated by the NASA/GSFC Earth Science Data and Information
System (ESDIS). The information presented through LANCE, Rapid Response, GIBS,
Worldview, and FIRMS are provided "as is" and users bear all responsibility and
liability for their use of data, and for any loss of business or profits, or for
any indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of any use of, or
inability to use, the data, even if NASA or ESDIS were previously advised of the
possibility of such damages, or for any other claim by you or any other person.
ESDIS makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied,
including implied warranties of fitness for a particular purpose or merchantability,
or with respect to the accuracy of or the absence or the presence or defects or
errors in data, databases of other information. The designations employed in the
data do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of ESDIS
concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area
or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.
For more information please contact Earthdata Support.