The Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission is based on a constellation of 2 identical satellites, each carrying an innovative wide swath high-resolution multispectral imager with 13 spectral bands for keeping track of modifications in Earths land and plant life.
Action and Precautions
In response to the fires, the Copernicus Emergency Mapping Service has actually been activated in North Attica, Rodopi, Euboea Island, the Sterea Ellada Region, and East Macedonia. The service utilizes satellite observations to assist civil defense authorities and, in cases of disaster, the worldwide humanitarian community, respond to emergencies.
Climate Change and Wildfires
Environment modification and land-use modification are forecasted to make wildfires more regular and extreme. In light of the terrible wildfires, ESA has actually reopened its World Fire Atlas which offers a detailed analysis of wildfires occurring across the world.
The Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission captured this image of the continuous blaze on July 23, 2023. Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2023 ), processed by ESA, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO
This satellite image is a mix between a natural color and a shortwave infrared composite to highlight the fire front, which was around 70 km (45 miles) long when this image was captured on August 23.
Satellite picture of wildfires in Greece caught by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission exposes a 45-mile-long fire front. Credit: Contains customized Copernicus Sentinel information (2023 ), processed by ESA, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO
A month after fires ravaged the island of Rhodes in July 2023 (see image listed below), more fires have actually ripped through Greece today as southern Europe swelters under a late summer heatwave. This Copernicus Sentinel-2 image reveals the ongoing blaze near Alexandroupoli in the Evros region of northeast Greece– close to the Türkiye border.
Wildfires burning on the Greek island of Rhodes in July 2023 required the evacuation of countless individuals as flames spread out from the islands mountainous area to the coast. The Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission caught this image of the continuous blaze on July 23, 2023. Credit: Contains customized Copernicus Sentinel data (2023 ), processed by ESA, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO
Weather Conditions and Satellite Imagery
Hot, dry, and windy conditions have contributed to the eruption of dozens of wildfires throughout Greece. The most extreme of these fires is in its 4th day, threatening the northeastern port city of Alexandroupoli.
This satellite image is a blend in between a natural color and a shortwave infrared composite to highlight the fire front, which was around 70 km (45 miles) long when this image was captured on August 23. The fire has actually produced a plume of smoke that stretched 1600 km (1000 miles) southwest towards Tunisia. Burned area can be seen in the image in dark brown.