Fire fingerprints

Monitoring wildfires from space is crucial for understanding their impact on climate, including the release of greenhouse gases and aerosols that influence the Earth system.

Satellites, such as Copernicus Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-3 capture optical, infrared and thermal data globally, over decades to map and assess fire-affected regions.

This data-driven approach enhances climate understanding, identifies long-term trends and improves the models used to predict future change and prepare for future fire events.

The graphic represents the annual burned area across Ireland between 2001 and 2020.

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