A sub-pixel-based calculation of fire radiative power from MODIS observations: 2. Sensitivity analysis and potential fire weather application

► Uncertainty in a MODIS sub-pixel-based fire radiative power algorithm is examined. ► Water vapor, emissivity, and background temperature are key sources of error. ► 11 μm background brightness temperature has a major effect on fire area estimates. ► Errors are found in the MODIS fire product 11 μm background brightness temperature. ► Sub-pixel (not pixel-based) fire radiative flux responds to fire weather changes.