Analysis of January 2025 Southern California Wildfires Using Remote Sensing Techniques and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Presentation Type: Presentation (30 minutes)

Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Intended Audience: GIS User, GIS Instructor, Student, Management

Abstract

In January 2025, wildfires erupted in Southern California, impacting the Pacific Palisades and Eaton areas of Los Angeles County. These fires heavily impacted areas physically, socially, and economically. With advancements in thermal sensing technology, remote sensing techniques have become critical for wildfire analysis. GIS is now essential for analyzing remote sensing data and helps in understanding fire behavior. Consequently, the wildfires in these regions were studied using methods to (1) assess damaged areas, (2) identify factors influencing wildfire vulnerability, (3) monitor real-time air quality and smoke dispersion, and (4) estimate burned areas.With the above objectives, geospatial data, including satellite imagery, Digital Elevation Models (DEM), Land Cover raster, air pollutant data, and smoke plume data, were collected. The DEM and Land Cover data were used to create a Fire Risk Index, helping predict vulnerable areas where fires may originate and spread. Air quality data from January 2025 helped demonstrate harmful environmental effects, while smoke dispersion data showed how remote sensing warrants real-time fire monitoring. Post-fire damage analysis specified on burned and structurally damaged areas to evaluate fire severity.Results showed that steeper slopes are more vulnerable to fire spread than flatter slopes, although slope does not solely cause fires. Overall, the movement of fires is heavily driven by topography. The monitoring of wildfires showed that meteorological conditions and air quality data help dictate public health decisions and efficiently distribute resources. Post-fire assessment of structural damage and burned areas supports rehabilitation planning and a solid approach to assessing long-term damage.

Presenter(s)

Sara Fitzgibbon

Graduate Research Assistant, Michigan Technological University

Sara Fitzgibbon is earning her master’s degree in Integrated Geospatial Technology in the Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering Department at Michigan Technological University. Sara earned her bachelor’s degree in Geoscience and GIS at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in 2024. Recently, she began her role as a Graduate Research Assistant at Michigan Technological University. Her research interests are remote sensing, GIS, photogrammetry, and the application of geospatial technologies to public health issues.