Update on the Rim Fire in California
Daily MODIS true-color RGB images (18 August – 30 August 2013)
A sequence of daily 250-meter resolution MODIS true-color Red/Green/Blue (RGB) images from the SSEC MODIS Today site — covering the period 18 August to 30 August 2013 (above; click image to play animation) — shows the changes in the growth and smoke plume production of the Rim Fire in California. This has now become the 6th largest fire on record in California, and is curently the largest fire so far in the US in 2013 (with 201,894 acres burned as of 30 August).
A sequence of AWIPS images of Suomi NPP VIIRS 3.74 µm shortwave IR images (below) shows the growth of the perimeter of fire “hot spots” (black to yellow to red color enhancement) during the 27-30 August period.
Suomi NPP VIIRS 3.9 µm shortwave IR images (27 August – 30 August)
A comparison of 250-meter resolution MODIS true color and false-color RGB images on 28 August (below) shows the large size of the fire burn scar on the false-color image.
MODIS true-color and false-color RGB images (28 August)
Daily comparisons of AWIPS images of Suomi NPP VIIRS 0.7 µm Day/Night Band and 3.74 µm shortwave IR data during the 27 August – 30 August period (below) show night-time images of the fire hot spots on the shortwave IR along with the bright glow of the fires on the Day/Night Band.
Suomi NPP VIIRS 0.7 µm Day/Night Band and 3.74 µm shortwave IR images (27 August)
Suomi NPP VIIRS 0.7 µm Day/Night Band and 3.74 µm shortwave IR images (28 August)
Suomi NPP VIIRS 0.7 µm Day/Night Band and 3.74 µm shortwave IR images (29 August)
Suomi NPP VIIRS 0.7 µm Day/Night Band and 3.74 µm shortwave IR images (30 August)