Yellowstone Lake

As you look through this time series, see if you can identify new fires that occurred after the big 1988 fires. Even the latest image is a patchwork of undisturbed forest, areas at different stages of recovery from fire, and fresh burn scars.

Fires continue to burn in Yellowstone, and future fires are expected. Scientists have noticed that the average number of lightning-started fires has been increasing each year since the 1990s. In the near future, the western United States will likely have increasingly intense wildfires.

Imagery

Every picture has a story to tell

Sep. 22, 1987, Landsat 5 (path/row 38/29) — Yellowstone Lake at Yellowstone National Park, USA

Aug. 23, 1988, Landsat 5 (path/row 38/29) — Yellowstone Lake at Yellowstone National Park, USA

Oct. 10, 1988, Landsat 5 (path/row 38/29) — Yellowstone Lake at Yellowstone National Park, USA

Oct. 4, 2003, Landsat 5 (path/row 38/29) — Yellowstone Lake at Yellowstone National Park, USA

Sep. 24, 2011, Landsat 5 (path/row 38/29) — Yellowstone Lake at Yellowstone National Park, USA

Aug. 20, 2016, Landsat 8 (path/row 38/29) — Yellowstone Lake at Yellowstone National Park, USA

Aug. 10, 2018, Landsat 8 (path/row 38/29) — Yellowstone Lake at Yellowstone National Park, USA

Aug. 15, 2020, Landsat 8 (path/row 38/29) — Yellowstone Lake at Yellowstone National Park, USA

Aug. 29, 2022, Landsat 9 (path/row 38/29) — Yellowstone Lake at Yellowstone National Park, USA

Aug. 16, 2023, Landsat 9 (path/row 38/29) — Yellowstone Lake at Yellowstone National Park, USA