A Remote Sensing Technical Report on the Los Angeles Forest Fire - January 2025

A Remote Sensing Technical Report on the Los Angeles Forest Fire - January 2025 | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 28 April 2025 V1 Latest version Share on A Remote Sensing Technical Report on the Los Angeles Forest Fire - January 2025 Author : Chandramohan Karuppiah 0000-0001-8468-5358 [email protected] Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.174586325.54176273/v1 271 views 225 downloads Contents Abstract NDVI Analysis and Vegetation Impact Future Assessments Conclusion Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract The Los Angeles forest fire of January 2025 represents a significant environmental disaster, prompting immediate remote sensing analysis to assess its impacts. This study utilized freely available Landsat-8 satellite imagery from the USGS database and ArcGIS software to estimate key environmental parameters. Land Surface Temperature (LST) analysis revealed a temperature range from 7.62°C to 51.7°C during the fire event, with notable smoke coverage extending over 3,758.80 km² of land and 1,837.52 km² of coastal areas. Interestingly, LST values during the fire were lower than pre-fire measurements (54°C compared to 76°C), attributed to smoke-induced solar radiation scattering, atmospheric heat masking, and surface albedo changes. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) analysis showed a drastic decline in vegetation health, with values ranging from 0.9994 to -0.1186, reflecting widespread loss of chlorophyll concentration due to the fire. These findings provide crucial preliminary insights into the environmental consequences of the event. Further analysis will be conducted once post-fire satellite data is made available, to comprehensively assess vegetation loss, land cover changes, and property damage for assess the homelessness. A Remote Sensing Technical Report on the Los Angeles Forest Fire - January 2025 Abstract The Los Angeles forest fire of January 2025 represents a significant environmental disaster, prompting immediate remote sensing analysis to assess its impacts. This study utilized freely available Landsat-8 satellite imagery from the USGS database and ArcGIS software to estimate key environmental parameters. Land Surface Temperature (LST) analysis revealed a temperature range from 7.62°C to 51.7°C during the fire event, with notable smoke coverage extending over 3,758.80 km² of land and 1,837.52 km² of coastal areas. Interestingly, LST values during the fire were lower than pre-fire measurements (54°C compared to 76°C), attributed to smoke-induced solar radiation scattering, atmospheric heat masking, and surface albedo changes. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) analysis showed a drastic decline in vegetation health, with values ranging from 0.9994 to -0.1186, reflecting widespread loss of chlorophyll concentration due to the fire. These findings provide crucial preliminary insights into the environmental consequences of the event. Further analysis will be conducted once post-fire satellite data is made available, to comprehensively assess vegetation loss, land cover changes, and property damage for assess the homelessness. Introduction The Los Angeles forest fire in January 2025 was a catastrophic event that caused widespread environmental damage. This preliminary report provides an initial assessment of the fire’s impact using freely available Landsat-8 satellite imagery obtained from USGS. The analysis focuses on land surface temperature (LST), smoke coverage, and vegetation health using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). Data and Methodology Satellite Imagery Source: Landsat-8 (USGS.gov) Software Used: ArcGIS Analysis Parameters within the image tile: • LST Estimation: 7.62°C (lowest) to 51.7°C (highest) • Smoke Coverage: Land are : 3,758.80 km² and Coastal area: 1,837.52 km² • NDVI Range: -0.1186 (lowest) to 0.9994 (highest) Figure.1 Source: Landsat 8 OLI,2025-01-22from Earth Explorer,USGS.gov .Image tile of 3,4, and 5 band combination ( LC08_L2SP_041036_20250122_20250128_02_T1_SR_B5-B4-B3) Key Observations 3.1 Land Surface Temperature Analysis The estimated LST values indicate a significant temperature variation across the affected region. The lowest temperatures were recorded in areas covered by smoke, which is expected due to the shadowing effect of dense smoke on the land surface. The highest temperatures were observed in areas experiencing active burning. 3.2 Smoke Coverage and Atmospheric Impact The satellite analysis revealed that smoke covered approximately 3,758.80 km² of land and 1,837.52 km² of coastal areas. This extensive smoke coverage could contribute to reduced air quality, visibility issues, and possible disruptions to climate patterns in the region. Figure.2 Smoke cover and LST NDVI Analysis and Vegetation Impact The NDVI values ranged from 0.9994 (high vegetation health) to -0.1186 (severely burned areas). The lower NDVI values indicate a significant loss of vegetation due to fire, as the chlorophyll concentration in the burned area is nearly zero. Compared to normal NDVI calculations for this region, the fire has drastically reduced vegetation indices, confirming widespread ecological damage. The smoke cover intensity is high in the coastal area then this shadow coming under high index of vegetation. Figure.3 NDVI Calculation Future Assessments A follow-up analysis will be conducted once new Landsat-8 or 9 imagery is made available in same image tile post-fire. This will allow for a more detailed assessment of: • The extent of vegetation loss. • Changes in land cover. • Property damage estimation. • Potential recovery patterns in the affected ecosystem. Conclusion The preliminary analysis highlights the severe impact of the Los Angeles forest fire on the region’s land surface temperature, vegetation, and air quality. Continued monitoring using remote sensing data will be essential for understanding the long-term environmental consequences and aiding in restoration efforts. Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 28 April 2025 Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Keywords forest fire los angeles lst ndvi Authors Affiliations Chandramohan Karuppiah 0000-0001-8468-5358 [email protected] Gandhigram Rural University View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 271 views 225 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Chandramohan Karuppiah. A Remote Sensing Technical Report on the Los Angeles Forest Fire - January 2025. Authorea . 28 April 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.174586325.54176273/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . 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