New Satellite Maps Unveil Detailed Devastation of Maui Fires
Researchers have developed new detailed maps of the destructive fires that ravaged Maui recently. These maps provide crucial information for post-fire remediation efforts and assessing future fire risks.
The high-resolution commercial satellite images used in the creation of these maps were sourced from Planet Labs PBC, an American public Earth imaging company. By analyzing a series of images captured between August 3 and August 13, the researchers were able to map the burned area at an impressive resolution of 3-by-3 meters. This breakthrough in fire mapping from space offers a level of detail previously unattainable.
David Roy, director of Michigan State University’s Center for Global Change and Earth Observations, emphasized the significance of these new maps created with the help of an artificial intelligence algorithm: By using the Planet Labs images and a new artificial intelligence algorithm, we can map the area burned in much greater detail than before. The only global coverage burned area products processed on a systematic basis are generated by NASA and map burned areas at a 500-by-500-meter resolution, which is a much coarser level of detail.
The new mapping algorithms being developed by Roy, along with assistant professor Haiyan Huang and postdoctoral research associate Hugo De Lemos, are funded by NASA. When combined with satellite detections of actively burning fires, the patterns of fire across Maui become evident through these maps. It is worth noting that intense fires were burning across the island, although the exact cause is still under investigation.
The researchers at Michigan State University shared their findings with colleagues at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. Clay Trauernicht, an expert in ecosystems and fire at the university, explained that the rapid spread of the fires can be attributed to the windy and dry conditions, as well as the abundance of non-native grasses that grew during previous wet years. Trauernicht also mentioned that the vegetation can be managed in the future to reduce fire risks and ensure safer conditions for firefighters and communities.
The significance of these detailed satellite-derived maps was highlighted by Tomoaki Miura, head of the department of natural resources and environmental management at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. New detailed satellite-derived maps like these will play an increasingly valuable role for synoptic assessment of fire and postfire remediation, Miura said. He also emphasized the importance of utilizing satellite technology to make informed decisions for rebuilding after wildfires and to prevent future catastrophic damage.
As climate and land use changes continue to create conditions favorable for wildfires, these satellite-derived maps will assist scientists in modeling and understanding the drivers and constraints on fire. Through this understanding, it is hoped that future devastating fire events can be prevented.
The creation of these new maps marks a significant step forward in fire mapping technology, allowing for detailed assessments of fire-affected areas. The information obtained from these maps will prove invaluable in guiding the rebuilding process and prioritizing postfire remediation efforts. Additionally, the data collected will aid in assessing and mitigating future fire risks.
