Retrospective analysis of two Northern California wild-land fires via Landsat five satellite imagery and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI)

Wild-land fires are a dynamic and destructive force in natural ecosystems. In recent decades, fire disturbances have increased concerns and awareness over significant economic loss and landscape change. The focus of this research was to study two northern California wild-land fires: Butte Humboldt Complex and Butte Lightning Complex of 2008 and assessment of vegetation recovery after the fires via ground based measurements and utilization of Landsat 5 imagery and analysis software to assess landscape change. Multi-temporal and burn severity dynamics and assessment through satellite imagery were used to visually ascertain levels of landscape change, under two temporal scales. Visual interpretation indicated noticeable levels of landscape change and relevant insight into the magnitude and impact of both wild-land fires. Normalized Burn Ratio (NBR) and delta NBR (DNBR) data allowed for quantitative analysis of burn severity levels. DNBR results indicate low severity and low re-growth for Butte Humboldt Complex “burned center” subplots. In contrast, DNBR values for Butte Lightning Complex “burned center” subplots indicated low-moderate burn severity levels.