Graphite oxidation is investigated at varying porosity and laser irradiance, resulting in surface temperatures of 1500-3100 K. Samples are irradiated using a 1.07 mu m fiber laser at irradiances of 1000 and 3600 W/cm(2) in dry air environment (20% O-2, < 1% H2O) at atmospheric pressure, producing a buoyant flow. Combustion plumes are analyzed using a midwave (MW) imaging Fourier transform spectrometer (IFTS) at 2 cm(-1) spectral resolution, 0.5 mm/pixel spatial resolution, and data cube rates of 1 Hz. Spectral signatures from CO and CO2 are predominant in the 1800-2500 cm(-1) spectral region. A radiative transfer model is used to infer species concentration and temperature from the hyperspectral data, resulting in 2D characterization of the reacting boundary layer. Plume temperatures of up to 2500 K are observed. CO and CO2 populations are correlated with surface temperature, with a general trend of [CO]/[CO2] = 10 exp(-5, 200/T-s). A simplified model incorporating diffusion transport and surface kinetics is presented to assess the relative strengths of the S1) 2C + O-2 double right arrow 2CO, S2) C + CO2 double right arrow 2CO, and S3) C + O-2 = CO2 surface oxidation mechanisms. The role of kinetic and transport mechanisms is discussed. Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of The Combustion Institute.