A satellite sensor product that combines the GOES-8 radiometer images 3.9 m
u m and 10.7 mu m wavelengths was used to detect grassland and forest fires
which occurred in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, in April 1997. This product is s
hown to be useful in the detection of forest fires in Central America. This
will help to identify the areas that are burned yearly and diminish the se
rious consequences these fires cause to the environment and aviation.