The original program objectives were to develop and test a heat-sensitive system capable of: (1) locating small fires, (2) mapping fire perimeters, and (3) measuring rates of fire spread. The usefulness of infrared mappers was to be examined by surveillance of fire sources in forest environments. The capability for locating fire perimeter and detecting incipient fires was to be compared with that of aerial patrol and methods of ground observation now in use. The work agreement outlined a three-phase test program. After Phase II was completed, the tasks were more specifically defined and the program was divided into its two natural components - fire mapping and fire detection. This separation allowed both programs to concentrate on development of systems specifically adapted to their unique problems. The goal of the detection program is to develop the capability for precisely locating small fire targets over extended land areas.