Power Outage in New Orleans
By Feng Chi (David), Hsu
Category: David Hsu
Bootleg Fire – Largest Active Fire in US
Bootleg Fire – Largest Active Fire in US
By Elijah Mt. Castle
The Bootleg fire in Oregon is the largest active fire in the United States. The fire started on July 6th and has burned 232,763 acres since it started. The fire has destroyed 21 homes and 54 other structures and is threatening 1,900 others. Drought, high temperatures, and high winds have severely hampered fire suppression efforts. Multiple other fires in the region have been splitting focus as well. The Bootleg fire is only 7% contained and sitting at an area larger than New York City is threatening multiple towns in the area. The cause of the Bootleg fire is still unknown. Pictured are the VNF detections for July 6th through July 14th, 2021. Pictured with the Bootleg fire is the smaller Jack Fire. Also pictured is the Earth Observation Group’s Nighttime Lights for July 10th.
July 16, 2021
California Fire Season Begins
California Fire Season Begins
By Elijah Mt. Castle
The Willow Fire in the Big Sur region of California is 19% contained. The fire started in Los Padres National Forest and has caused a closure of the area. The Forest Service has put a $5,000 fine and/or six months jail time on anyone who attempts to enter the closure area. Due to the remote nature of the fire, firefighters need to be flown in by helicopter to tend to the fire. Crews have been able to reuse previously made fire breaks in the area and the fire is situated between large burn scars from the 2020 and 2016 fire season. As of writing there has been no reported loss of life or property. Pictured are the VNF detections for June 18th thru the 21st. Also pictured is the EOG Nighttime lights for June 19th.
July 1, 2021
Multiple Wildfires in Manitoba Contained
Multiple Wildfires in Manitoba Contained
By Elijah Mt. Castle
The Canadian province of Manitoba has been experiencing multiple wildfires over the last couple of weeks. Dry conditions are to blame for the fires. As of May 14th, all blazes have been contained. The most recent wildfire sparked the 13th and grew to around 80 hectares (198 acres). This fire is now around 50 hectares in size. Several RVs and trailers from a storage site were damaged, however there is no other reported property damage. Due to the incredibly dry conditions, Manitoba has banned campfires and back-country camping. Numerous trails have been closed for the safety of hikers. Officials say the trails are closed so focus can be placed on fighting wildfires instead of rescue. Pictured are the VNF detections for May 13th-14th 2021. Contains information licensed under the Open Government License – Canada.
May 19, 2021
Earth Day 2021
Earth Day 2021
By Elijah Mt. Castle
Earth Day is an international day of environmental protection. Started on April 22, 1970 Earth Day is now observed in over 193 countries. Earth Day was first proposed at the 1969 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) by activist John McConnell. The event originally took place on March 21, but it was moved to April 22nd when United States Senator Gaylord Nelson suggested hosting nationwide sessions to raise environmental awareness. Earth Day is a day to celebrate conservation and peace between the nations of the world. The Paris Climate Agreement was signed on Earth Day in 2016 by over 120 countries around the world. This agreement has helped strengthen both diplomatic ties and global climate change mitigation. We here at the Earth Observation Group would like to wish you a happy Earth Day.
April 22, 2021
Multiple Wildfires in Nuevo León
By Elijah Mt. Castle
Mexico is currently facing one of its worst forest fire seasons in decades. Over 1,000 people have been evacuated in Nuevo León, Mexico alone. Drought conditions and high winds have severely hindered firefighting efforts. The La Niña weather system has caused high winds with gusts up to 90kph. These high winds have grounded helicopter fire fighting units. This year alone, fire has destroyed over 29,000 hectares(~72,000 acre) of forest nationwide, the third largest loss of forest land in a decade. There are currently 75 active wildfires across Mexico. Pictured are the VNF detections in Nuevo León for March 17th -28th 2021. Also pictured is the EOG Nighttime Lights mosaic for March 27th 2021. The more pronounced the color is on the map, the longer fire has been burning there.
Cargo Vessels Waiting to Pass the Suez Canal Doubled in 24 Hours
Cargo Vessels Waiting to Pass the Suez Canal Doubled in 24 Hours
By Fengchi Hsu
Ever Given, one of the largest cargo vessels in operation, was stuck in the Suez Canal for days. This incident blocks the two-way traffic of the canal, which causes the number of cargo vessels waiting to pass the canal doubled in 24 hours from March 25th to 26th, 2021.
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March 26, 2021
Weeks Long Fire Contained in Similipal National Park
Weeks Long Fire Contained in Similipal National Park
By Elijah Mt. Castle
Similipal National Park has been aflame since February 24th 2021, and is now contained according to government officials. The associated tiger sanctuary also caught fire. The park, located in Odisha India, is an important biosphere for the country. Roughly one third of the forest has been destroyed or gutted for fire breaks. Fires have also been raging in surrounding areas for weeks. There have not been any reports of loss of life because of the fire, and most of the larger animals have moved to the inner-part of the preserve to escape the fire. Smaller animals and flora were not so lucky. Many reptiles and medicinal plants were killed in the fire. The exact cause of the fire is not known, but it is speculated to be man made. Many locals will burn away dead leaves to collect seeds and flowers used in alcohol and other products. The Odisha government is currently taking volunteers and paying locals to help keep the blaze contained. Pictured are the VNF detections for February 24th – March 12th 2021 in and around Similipal. The more pronounced the color is the longer the fire has been burning at that location. Also pictured are the EOG Nighttime Lights for March 6th.
March 14, 2021
Mt. Etna Erupts 4 Times in Four Days
Mt. Etna Erupts 4 Times in Four Days
by Elijah Mt. Castle
Mt. Etna, in the Sicilian province of Catania, has been intermediately erupting for four days now. The eruptions began on February 16th 2021. At this time the volcano is no danger to any of the surrounding villages and the lava is flowing into the uninhabited valley below the summit. As one of the most active volcanoes in the world the people of Catania are accustomed to frequent eruptions from the 3km peak. Volcanic ash and rocks have blanketed the surrounding towns and villages. As a precaution Catania’s airport was closed the 16th, but has since been opened. One of the mountain’s eruptions launched lava 700m into the air. More eruptions are expected in the coming days or weeks. Pictured are the VNF detections for February 17th to the 20th 2021, accompanied with EOG Nighttime lights for Feb 18th. The lava flow can be seen in Nighttime Lights, as well as the accompanying photograph. For supplementary information about Mt. Etna please see our post about the December 2020 eruption.
February 26, 2021
Power Outage in Texas Due to Extreme Weather
Power Outage in Texas Due to Extreme Weather
By Feng Chi, (David) Hsu
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Texas was hit by snow and freezing temperatures in mid-February 2021. Numerous areas experienced power outages as power plants and renewable energy sources shutdown and have been slow to restart. The outages can be detected as losses in satellite observed lighting, which show up as red in the image presented here from early morning on February 16. There are numerous power outage areas in Houston, while Dallas, Austin and San Antonio show smaller pockets of outage. Many of the gas flares in the Eagle Ford oil field are also shutdown because of the power outages.
February 16, 2021