News

Satellite images have captured the magnitude of the damage caused by wildfires across Canada this summer. Brown scarring among the greenery of the Northwest Territories near Yellowknife can be seen in a photo provided by the Canadian Space Agency and Natural Resources Canada. The image, taken by the Sentinel-2 satellite as part of the European Union’s Copernicus Program, reveals areas that have already been ravaged by wildfires.

Following the image’s capture, officials ordered the phased evacuation of Yellowknife, home to approximately 22,000 people. The forecast indicates that winds are expected to shift eastward, directing fires towards populated areas west of the city. As a result, other communities in the Northwest Territories have also been evacuated, and a state of emergency has been declared.

Residents of Yellowknife were seen fueling up their vehicles and leaving their homes behind in long lines of traffic. Some chose to flee on chartered or commercial flights. Meanwhile, the Canadian Armed Forces have been deployed to assist firefighters, with air tankers joining the fight.

The devastation caused by the wildfires is not limited to the Northwest Territories. Additional satellite images captured by the Sentinel-2 show damage in the Okanagan area of British Columbia. The images display the Eagle Bluff area near Osoyoos, B.C., and Oroville, Wash., as they appeared before, during, and after the wildfire. The photos provide both natural color and shortwave-infrared views, revealing smoke, active fire locations, and the extent of the damage.

These satellite images provide crucial information to aid in understanding the scale of the wildfires and the areas affected. The data is instrumental in determining evacuation strategies, coordinating firefighting efforts, and assessing the overall impact of the wildfires on the environment and communities.

The post Extent of Wildfire Damage in Canada Revealed by Satellite Images appeared first on ISP Today.