Additional Fire Focused Layers
We’ve just launched two more fire related layers.
The first is a false-color visualization based on the Sentinel weekly high-resolution layer. By using Sentinel’s upper infrared bands, we discovered that we were able to provide a clear picture of burned areas and active hot spots, even when the visual imagery is entirely obscured by smoke. Keep in mind that this is a false color image based on infrared data, and the actual flames are not as visually intense as they appear. Sentinel imagery is updated approximately every 5 days.


Above: Split image of the Castle Fire in California showing the difference in smoke between true color (left) and “false color burn” (right) imagery.
We know that a lot of people are currently displaced from their homes, and are urgently seeking any information they can find. While this imagery does not have enough resolution to show the status of individual structures, we hope that it will help provide additional awareness. Sentinel is one of only two layers that CalTopo requires a subscription for, but in order to make this information available to all who need it, we are temporarily providing it to all users at no cost and with no account required; Sentinel will revert back to a premium layer on Oct 15.
Castle Fire, CA from 9/15: https://caltopo.com/l/EB05
Beachie Creek Fire, OR from 9/14: https://caltopo.com/l/T0P0
Creek Fire, CA from 9/13: https://caltopo.com/l/5VG1


Above Left: False Color image of the Creek Fire in California.
Above Right: GOES false-color temperature imagery from the night of 9/15, showing multiple fires across northern California.
We’ve also launchd a new, experimental “GOES Temperature” layer alongside our visual and fire detection GOES data. This false-color infrared image provides two benefits over the GOES live fire detection layer: it can show fire intensity, and as with the visual GOES layer, it will let you see changes over time. GOES imagery is updated every 5 minutes.
Take a look: https://caltopo.com/l/EPSM