Images of local bushfires are being produced by the ES&S Satrax-700 X-band satellite ground station after every overhead pass by the X-band satellites Terra and Aqua. Images are processed by the Satrax ModApps software, which contains many image processing products, one of which automatically pinpoints hot spots on the satellite image. This system can be used to provide automatic notification of thermal anomalies to emergency management authorities to help manage fire events.

The image below shows why smoke has appeared over Melbourne today. It also shows the areas affected by the December 2006 bushfires, which appears as reddish-brown colouring to the northwest of the current fires near Bairnsdale.

(larger image)

View December bushfire satellite images here