Maxar Satellite Imagery: Bobcat Wildfire, Northeast of Los Angeles

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.