Wildfire Burn Severity Mapping (AD)

Have you ever wondered how scientists determine the burn severity of wildfire?

Researchers use satellites to scan Earth and identify where plants and trees have been burned. The scans are used to compare the reflectiveness of green plants to other charred or blackened surfaces. And create maps that show unburned and high, medium, or low-severity burned areas. Burn severity maps are used by postfire experts to assess the wildfire’s impact on the environment and its future, including modeling the potential for postfire soil erosion, flooding, or the spread of invasive species.

Learn more at: burnseverity.cr.usgs.gov