Skip to main content

Fuel Moisture: NASA SPoRT Land Information System

The NASA Short-term Prediction Research and Transition (SPoRT) Center has developed a Real-Time Land Information System (LIS), using satellite-derived datasets, ground-based observations, and model reanalysis to inform weather models with influences from the land surface. The link, above, allows you to select data by date and product but, for near real-time observations, the SPoRT Viewer may be easier to navigate and explore.

Products are updated daily and include:

  • Volumetric Soil Moisture represents actual moisture in a soil column.
  • Relative Soil Moisture represents the soil moisture for a given soil column on a relative scale between soil saturation and wilting levels.
  • Column-Integrated Relative Soil Moisture combines four column depths down to 200cm.
  • Green Vegetation Fraction-current and trends-from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS).
  • Land surface temperature and Heat Flux.

Soil Moisture products evaluate conditions at five levels:

  • 0-10 cm – relates most directly to the Fire Weather Index (FWI) Du Moisture Code, or DMC
  • 10-40 cm – relates most directly to the FWI Drought Code, or DC
  • 40-100 cm
  • 100-200 cm
  • 0-200 cm Integrated Column

Available at 3km resolutions for the Continental U.S. (CONUS), analysts should consider using the following:

Column-Integrated Relative Soil Moisture products to assess current drought levels and changes over one week, two weeks, one month, three months, six months, and one year.

Green Vegetation Fraction products that are updated daily in lieu of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) that are updated on only a weekly basis. Current conditions are augmented by 1-month, 2-month, 3-month, 4-month, and 1-year change products.

Relative Soil Moisture products that may be correlated to fuel moisture contents applied in fire effects and fire spread models. A 0-10 cm 1-day change product provides an assessment of rainfall effects on the top soil layer that relates to fuel moisture in carrier fuels.

Image
Relative Soil Moisture for top 2 centimeters. Example graphic from the SPoRT Land Information System for April 18th of 2017.

Return to Top

Share on Social Media

Print PDF

NWCG Latest Announcements

NEW! S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended) Available Now

Date: December 22, 2025
Questions about RT-130? 
Please contact: Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the new S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended) training is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal.

This third course in the series combines online and instructor-led training components aimed at individuals who are involved in planning, managing, and executing wildland fire and prescribed burn operations; who require a thorough understanding of fire behavior calculations to enhance effectiveness and safety. This includes students who require the knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of a Type 3 Incident Commander (ICT3), Division/Group Supervisor (DIVS), or Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2).

Students are required to be qualified as any Single Resource Boss position and complete the prerequisite S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire behavior (Blended) course, before enrolling in S-390.

References:

S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended)

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

NEW! S-320, Introduction to Incident Management Teams (Blended) Available Now

Date: December 18, 2025
Questions about RT-130? 
Please contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that S-320, Introduction to Incident Management Teams (Blended) is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal!

This blended course combines online learning with instructor-led training, designed for individuals seeking to build leadership skills and gain experience in incident management.

Students are required to complete the prerequisite trainings ICS-100, Introduction to Incident Command System (ICS), ICS-200, Basic ICS for Initial Response, and ICS-700, An Introduction to the National Incident Management System (NIMS) prior to attending S-320.

References:

S-320, Introduction to Incident Management Teams (Blended)

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

New! Ransom Road WFSTAR Module

Date: December 16, 2025
Questions about RT-130? 
Please contact: NWCG Audiovisual Specialist

NWCG is excited to announce the release of the new Ransom Road Fire Module to RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR).

This module features a firsthand account from Rob Lee, official reports, and animated maps of the Ransom Road Fire which occurred on June 8, 1981, in Florida's Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

The module is available now in NWCG's RT-130, WFSTAR Catalog.

References:

WFSTAR Catalog

Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

Call for Nominations: Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award

Date: December 11, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
 Leadership Committee 

Do you know someone working in wildland fire who strives to make positive change and is undeterred by obstacles or setbacks? Now is your chance to give that person the acknowledgment they deserve by nominating them for a Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award.

This award, is presented by the NWCG Leadership Committee to remember Paul Gleason's contributions to the wildland fire community and to recognize individuals or groups that exhibit the same spirit and dedication to leadership – those who lead by example.

Nominations can be submitted via email with an attached Lead by Example Form to BLM_FA_Leadership_Feedback@blm.gov or through the online form. 

Tips for successful nominations and more information can be found on the Lead by Example webpage. All nominations must be submitted by December 31, 2025.

References:

Paul Gleason Lead By Example Award 

Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award Nomination Form 2025 

Leadership Committee