Views of the News

A wildfire ignited by lightning in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge on April 6, 2017, is persisting into May. Landsat 8’s shortwave infrared band, which is sensitive to soil and ash in burned areas, combined with the near-infrared band, which is sensitive to healthy vegetation, to provide an accurate distinction between burned and unburned vegetation. Recent reports indicate that good progress has been made to extinguish the flames; however, drought conditions are expected to continue in this area of extremely dense vegetation.