A mixed-methods approach to identify archetypes of wildfire management end-users of active fire earth observation satellite data

Wildfire management entities (FME) across the globe operate under diverse situations, all while facing escalating challenges from climate change. Earth observation (EO) satellites offer unique value for active fire monitoring, however, the extent to which EO-derived active fire data (EO-AFD) is adopted remains unclear. To better understand adoption by FMEs, we analyzed responses from a global survey with representation from 56 countries, conducted under the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites Working Group on Disasters, Wildfire Pilot. We applied a mixed-method approach using hierarchical agglomerative clustering and inductive reasoning to identify common FME functional ‘archetypes’ and provide a notional archetype development pathway relative to operational dependence on EO-AFD. Six end-user archetypes were identified: Curious, Nascent, Pragmatic Generalist, Specialist, and Leader. While 75% of all end-users had at least some degree of trust in EO-AFD and trust was generally high across all archetypes, integration levels varied, often constrained by technical, cost, resource, and expertise related barriers. The spatial distribution of archetypes and the barriers to EO-AFD use varied by region. Considered together, these may indicate where barriers play a stronger role in shaping archetypes. The archetypes can serve as a baseline for developing EO-AFD adoption engagements.