Analyzing Wildfire Data with NASA Earthdata Tools

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Data Science Lifecycle Focus

This lesson will primarily focus on data discovery, data analysis, and visualization using NASA's Earth science data resources.

Thematic Focus

The lesson will center on the wildfires in Los Angeles, California, specifically the Palisades, Eaton, and Lidia fires that occurred in January 2025. The lesson will use these fires as a case study to explore how Earth observation data can be used to monitor and analyze such events.

Key Takeaways

By the end of this lesson, the user will:

• Understand how to access and utilize NASA's Earthdata Search and other tools like Worldview to locate relevant datasets.
• Learn to identify and interpret data related to wildfires, such as thermal anomalies and fire locations, using tools like the Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS).
• Gain experience in visualizing fire data using different image bands and overlay techniques, specifically using MODIS data from the Aqua platform as shown in the provided images.
• Learn how to use NASA data to understand and analyze the spread of wildfires using real world events as a case study.
• Be able to explore related datasets to find more data that can support their research of wildfires.
• Understand the different NASA platforms and instruments that are available for observing Earth and specific events like wildfires.
• Learn more about NASA's Earth Science Data Systems Program (ESDS) and its resources.
• Understand the various topics and subtopics covered by the NASA Earthdata program that can help them when looking for data such as the atmosphere, biosphere, and land surface.

[jfmartinez4]

Sounds very similar to the Disasters Module Lesson on Wildfires but a different event and location. This would be a good source of info that can be repurposed for a web-friendly version: https://ciesin-geospatial.github.io/TOPSTSCHOOL-disasters/m302-wildfire-assessment.html

[cdeodati]

This idea is well thought out and has some great ideas for analysis. I would recommend also looking at NDVI in these areas before and after wildfires to analyze wildfire susceptibility. It could also be a good addition to look at early warning signals and how they can be identified with remote sensing data, and looking at response strategies.

[camillapaige]

I like this idea! One resource that you might look into is here: https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/153831/the-palisades-fires-footprint
There are some great visualizations that you might consider including in your lesson or replicating, including a time lapse video and a map with a slider. You should also check out the data sources and other information provided in the many links in the article.