Satellite imagery from the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission delineates a fire front extending over 45 miles. Credit: Incorporates altered Copernicus Sentinel data (2023), analyzed by the European Space Agency, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO
One month subsequent to the conflagrations that ravaged the island of Rhodes in July 2023 (refer to the image below), Greece faces yet another wave of wildfires this week amidst a late summer heatwave engulfing southern Europe. The Copernicus Sentinel-2 has captured visuals of the active fire near the city of Alexandroupoli in Greece’s northeastern Evros region, adjacent to the border with Turkey.
In July 2023, the island of Rhodes in Greece was afflicted by wildfires that necessitated the evacuation of thousands, as the fires proliferated from the mountainous terrain to the shoreline. On July 23, 2023, this ongoing crisis was documented by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission. Credit: Incorporates altered Copernicus Sentinel data (2023), analyzed by the European Space Agency, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO
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Atmospheric Conditions and Satellite Data
A combination of hot, arid, and blustery weather has facilitated the outbreak of multiple wildfires throughout Greece. The most acute among these has been ablaze for four days, imperiling the northeastern port city of Alexandroupoli.
The captured satellite imagery fuses natural color with shortwave infrared composite to emphasize the fire’s front, which spanned around 70 km (45 miles) at the time of the snapshot on August 23. The conflagration has emitted a smoke plume stretching 1600 km (around 1000 miles) southwest in the direction of Tunisia. Charred land is discernible in the imagery as a dark brown area.
The Copernicus Sentinel-2 operation relies on a dual-satellite constellation, each equipped with an advanced wide swath high-resolution multispectral imager boasting 13 spectral bands, designed to monitor terrestrial and vegetative changes on Earth.
Crisis Management and Safety Measures
To manage this crisis, the Copernicus Emergency Mapping Service has been activated in various regions including North Attica, Rodopi, Euboea Island, Sterea Ellada, and East Macedonia. This service employs satellite data to assist civil defense agencies and, in situations of catastrophe, the global humanitarian community in emergency response.
Climate Variability and Increased Wildfires
Predictions based on climate change and alterations in land use suggest that wildfires will become both more frequent and more severe. Given the recent disastrous wildfires, the European Space Agency has reactivated its World Fire Atlas, offering an in-depth examination of global wildfire activities.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Greece Wildfires
What satellite mission captured the images of the ongoing wildfires in Greece?
The images of the ongoing wildfires were captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission. This operation employs a dual-satellite constellation, each equipped with an advanced wide swath high-resolution multispectral imager with 13 spectral bands.
What regions in Greece are most affected by the current wave of wildfires?
The city of Alexandroupoli in the northeastern Evros region, adjacent to the border with Turkey, is particularly at risk. Additionally, the island of Rhodes was severely affected in July 2023.
What weather conditions have contributed to the outbreak of wildfires?
Hot, dry, and windy conditions have been identified as the main contributing factors to the outbreak of multiple wildfires throughout Greece.
What emergency services have been activated in response to the wildfires?
The Copernicus Emergency Mapping Service has been activated in various regions including North Attica, Rodopi, Euboea Island, Sterea Ellada, and East Macedonia to manage this crisis.
How are climate change and land use affecting the frequency and intensity of wildfires?
Climate change and alterations in land use are projected to make wildfires more frequent and severe. This understanding is based on scientific predictions and observations.
What global resource has been reactivated to offer a detailed analysis of wildfires?
In light of the recent disastrous wildfires, the European Space Agency has reactivated its World Fire Atlas, which provides an in-depth examination of global wildfire activities.
What does the satellite imagery reveal about the fire’s impact?
The satellite imagery fuses natural color with shortwave infrared composite to highlight the fire’s front, which was approximately 70 km long at the time of capture. It also showed a smoke plume stretching 1600 km southwest towards Tunisia and areas of charred land.
More about Greece Wildfires
- Copernicus Sentinel-2 Mission Overview
- European Space Agency: World Fire Atlas
- Copernicus Emergency Mapping Service
- Climate Change and Wildfires: A Scientific Outlook
- Evros Region: Geographical and Environmental Context
- Current Weather Conditions in Greece
- Global Humanitarian Response Plans and Procedures
5 comments
Great article but what about the people? You talk bout the fires and all but what’s happening to the residents, the wildlife. Makes me wonder.
Couldn’t believe how long that smoke plume is, stretching all the way to Tunisia? thats insane. Hopefully, the authorities are doing their best to control this.
This is such an eye opener. Climate change is real guys, and its showing its ugly face more and more. Kudos to Copernicus for capturing this data, helps to put things in perspective.
I’m a bit of a tech geek and those Copernicus satellites seem like some next level stuff. But the real question is how effective are they in helping on the ground?
Wow, the situation in Greece looks really bad. The fact that the fires have reached this magnitude is terrifying! what’s being done to combat it?