Maxar Technologies’ WorldView-3 satellite collected new images September 21 of the large Bobcat Fire burning northeast of Los Angeles, California.
The combination of both natural color and shortwave infrared (SWIR) satellite imagery provide a unique visual perspective of the size of the fire, the forest that has already burned and the active hot spots and fire lines. Additionally, the imagery provides a close up view of Mount Wilson and the historic observatory with active fires burning only 1.5 kilometers away.
Click image to enlarge.
As a reminder, SWIR satellite imagery is able to penetrate wood smoke from the fires; moreover, the imagery clearly shows the burned areas (which show up in a yellowish/brown color) that contrast with areas that have not burned (with vegetation and forests that show up in shades of blue). Active hot spots and fire lines glow orange.
Satellite image ©2020 Maxar Technologies.