ESA satellites capture the extent of Europe’s wildfires

Satellite data from Europe's Copernicus satellites are helping authorities devise better ways to detect and fight wildfires.

August 8, 2023 · 1 min · 73 words · Sean Villegas

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Many fires are still raging across swathes of southern Europe and beyond.

The atlas was originally launched in 2019, where it supported both European civil protection agencies and firefighters.

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ESA satellites capture the extent of Europe’s wildfires

The highest number of fires reached in that timeframe was in Portugal in August 2016 and October 2017.

Story bySion Geschwindt

Sion is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy.

A chart of europe’s wildfire between 2016-2023

a satellite image of a wildfire burning on Rhodes island, Greece

Siôn Geschwindt