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Satellite imagery used to help fight Arizona fire

  • By GCN Staff
  • Jun 17, 2011
Satellite technology is coming to the rescue in the fight against the largest wildfire in Arizona history, ScienceDaily reports.

The Landsat 5 satellite -- part of a series of satellite missions managed by NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey -- is being used by emergency managers who are figuring out ways to contain the blaze.

Responders are plotting their strategies based on images of the Wallow North and Horseshoe 2 fires captured by Landsat 5 on June 15. A Landsat image of the wildfire can be seen here.

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Reader Comments

Wed, Jun 22, 2011 steve Collin colorado

There are a number of higher resolution imaging satellites, that fly at much lower altitudes than Landsat, and could provide much more useful images. GeoEye, Spot and others should be contacted. Almost real time imaging can be downloaded to handheld devices in the field for the safety of the firefighters and for better notification to prepare for evacuation.

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