European Space Imaging (EUSI) has collected satellite imagery of forest fires in the following locations over the past few days.

Rhodes, Greece

Attica, Greece

Corfu, Greece

Sicily, Italy

Béjaïa, Algeria

Algeria 25_Jul 2023 Natural color Overview

Algeria 25_Jul 2023 Band False Color Overview

Together these fires have taken dozens of lives, displaced tens of thousands of residents and destroyed unprecedented amounts of forest, agricultural and residential property.

All images contained can be used freely but must be attributed.

Copyright: Satellite Imagery © Maxar Technologies Collected by European Space Imaging

What is different about these satellite images?

While you may have seen some other satellite images of these same events this week, EUSI has the unique advantage of collecting imagery with 8 multispectral bands, which allows users to see through the smoke and better analyze where the fires are currently burning. In this gallery of imagery, you’ll find natural color images, 4-band false color (common from other providers) and 8-band false color (unique to EUSI and able to see through smoke).

How do I interpret the false colors?

Natural Color: Healthy vegetation is dark green, smoke is grey, burnt vegetation is grey/black

4-Band False Color: Healthy vegetation is red, smoke is blue/green, burnt vegetation is grey/black

8-Band False Color: Healthy vegetation is light green, smoke is hazy blue, burnt vegetation is grey/black