Bushfires in Northwest Tasmania: How Sentinel-2 and SWIR Can See Through the Smoke

Using a real-world case study from northwest Tasmania to demonstrate the power of satellite imagery.

A Look at Sentinel-2 Satellite Imagery

The European Space Agency’s Sentinel-2 satellites capture imagery of Earth’s surface in multiple wavelengths, offering a detailed view of forests, farmland, and—importantly—areas experiencing fires. Thanks to its 10–20-metre resolution and the ability to see in specific bands of the electromagnetic spectrum, Sentinel-2 imagery has become a powerful tool for researchers, environmental groups, and the public.

Why Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) Is Useful

SWIR stands for Short-Wave Infrared, which covers wavelengths slightly longer than what the human eye can see (visible light). When fires occur, the heat and combustion byproducts stand out very clearly in the SWIR range. Here’s why that matters:

1. Heat Detection: SWIR bands can pick up the intense thermal radiation from active fire fronts. On the resulting images, these appear as bright patches—almost like they’re glowing—to indicate high heat.
2. Burn Scar Visibility: Freshly scorched earth and vegetation reflect SWIR light differently from healthy vegetation. This contrast creates a unique colour signature that clearly marks recently burned areas as dark or brownish shapes, making it easier to assess a fire’s extent.
3. Smoke and Thin Cloud Penetration: While dense cloud is still opaque in SWIR, thin cloud cover and smoke are far less obstructive than in visible-light imagery. This means we can often see the ground more clearly, even when smoke is heavy.

Real-World Example: Northwest Tasmania

In the last week, multiple fires in northwest Tasmania have burned over 50,000 hectares of wilderness (on 12th of February 2025). Although these details come from publicly available sources (such as the Tasmania Fire Service and ABC News), Sentinel-2 imagery provides a visual window into what’s happening on the ground.

Figure 1: Comparison between "Natural" colour image and SWIR taken near the northwest coast region. Sentinel-2 data reveal smoke plumes over the area. In the SWIR composite, while some dense clouds remain impenetrable, you can still identify major fire fronts beneath lighter smoke. Orange or yellow spots mark the most intense fire activity, while large patches of brown or blackened terrain indicate burn scars. (Source: ESA Sentinel-2 (Copernicus) Level-1C, 10 Feb 2025 – Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2025) / ESA.)

Figure 2: Comparison of two Sentinel-2 images over northwest Tasmania. The left image, in natural color, shows thick smoke obscuring the ground. In contrast, the right image, rendered using Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) bands, reveals the active fire fronts (bright orange) and newly formed burn scars (dark brown), offering a clearer view despite lingering smoke. (Source: ESA Sentinel-2 (Copernicus) Level-1C, 10 Feb 2025 – Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2025) / ESA.)

Value of Satellite Imagery

Sentinel-2 images offer an additional perspective that can help:

• Show how quickly a fire spreads and which areas appear most affected.
• Illustrate how different terrains—like rainforest, scrub, or alpine regions—respond to fire.
• Demonstrate the scale of an event that can be challenging to visualise at ground level.

By using these images, we can gain a better grasp of the geographic scope of events.

Looking Ahead

As satellites like Sentinel-2 continue to capture frequent images, we can track changes over time—whether that is the spread of an active fire, the growth of new vegetation after the event, or long-term shifts in the landscape. For those interested in environmental science, ecology, or even local history, these images serve as a chronological record of significant natural events.

At Geoneon, we rely on these datasets to train and calibrate our advanced analytics, including wildfire severity models. By combining data across multiple spectral bands and time periods, we can better understand fire behaviour and its impacts on ecosystems. If you are curious about our process or the technology behind our geospatial analytics, get in touch or explore more of our resources on the Geoneon website. We are here to help you “see” what’s happening on Earth’s surface in vivid detail.

Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only and does not provide official emergency advice. Always refer to the Tasmania Fire Service, TasALERT, or other accredited entities for the latest safety and operational information.