A ferocious wildfire broke out in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles, California, on January 7, 2025, threatening famous landmarks and densely populated neighborhoods. The blaze is one of four major wildfires in the area that have led to significant loss of life and property.

At least five people have died, more than 2,000 structures have been destroyed, and over 130,000 residents have been evacuated. By January 8, authorities declared a state of emergency, with power outages leaving more than 456,000 people in the dark.

Satellite image of wildfire of Los Angeles, California
California, USA. Credit: European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-3 imagery

This dramatic scene, captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellite on January 9, 2025, shows the widespread devastation.

Open data from Sentinel satellites is invaluable for monitoring wildfires, mapping their extent, and aiding disaster response efforts worldwide.

Featured image credit: European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-3 imagery

Image
Study tracks exposure to air pollution through the dayScience

Study tracks exposure to air pollution through the day

Data from the Bronx account for people’s daily mobility patterns, reveal demographic disparities in exposure levels. By Peter Dizikes | MIT News | Massachusetts Institute…
SourceSourceJuly 29, 2024 Full article
Image: Fieldwork in Svalbard
Arctic peatlands spreading northward as temperatures riseClimate

Arctic peatlands spreading northward as temperatures rise

Warming temperatures and longer growing seasons are driving the outward spread of Arctic peatlands, raising hopes for increased carbon storage, but also concerns about long-term…
SourceSourceJune 19, 2025 Full article
Image: A river running through a lush green forest (aerial view in Sogeri, Papua New Guinea)
Papua New Guinea lifts ban on forest carbon creditsNews

Papua New Guinea lifts ban on forest carbon credits

Sydney, Australia | AFP Papua New Guinea will "immediately" lift a ban on forest carbon credit schemes, the Pacific nation's climate minister told AFP on…
SourceSourceApril 10, 2025 Full article