Copernicus Browser Enhances Wildfire Tracking with New Visualization Layer
The Copernicus Browser, part of the European Union's Earth observation program, has introduced a new 'wildfires' visualization layer for its Sentinel-2 satellite imagery. This enhancement, which went live on August 4, allows users to view active fires, burning vegetation, and burned landscapes with improved clarity. The visualization is made possible by a JavaScript script developed by remote sensing expert Pierre Markuse. This script utilizes various spectral bands to differentiate between healthy and burned vegetation and to reveal moisture levels in the soil. The Sentinel-2 satellites provide high-resolution imagery, making them a valuable tool for monitoring wildfires globally. This development comes as wildfires continue to affect regions worldwide, including Washington and Oregon in the U.S., and as climate change exacerbates traditional wildfire seasons.