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NOAA satellites have been closely monitoring wildfires burning

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in the Los Angeles metropolitan area.

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The first blazes erupted Jan. 7, 2025,

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and quickly exploded in size and intensity.

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Three factors fueling the spread of the fires are strong winds,

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low humidity, and dry vegetation.

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The largest of the fires, the Palisades fire, has burned about 23,713 acres to date.

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The Eaton fire, northeast of the Palisades fire, has burned about 14,117 acres.

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These fires prompted widespread evacuation orders.

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The destructive wildfires have destroyed thousands of structures

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and claimed the lives of at least 25 people.

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GOES West, NOAA’s geostationary satellite that keeps watch over

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the western United States, monitored the fires in near real-time.

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GOES West measured the intensity, monitored the spread and tracked

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the movement of smoke.

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Meanwhile, the polar orbiting JPSS satellites captured high-resolution

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imagery of the wildfires.

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These satellites can detect smaller, lower temperature fires helping to

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locate and track them when they ignite.

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JPSS data is used with NOAA’s HRRR-Smoke model to help forecast

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the movement of smoke up to 24-hours in advance.

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As wildfires continue to rage, NOAA satellites provide critical

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data for protecting communities and managing firefighting efforts.

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Earth From Orbit: NOAA Satellites Track Raging Wildfires in California

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Palisade Fire footage courtesy of CAL FIRE.

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