Remote sensing scientists from the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (NSW DCCEEW) Science and Insights Division have developed a new approach to mapping the landscape patterns of high severity fire, based on NSW Fire Extent and Severity Mapping (FESM).

High severity fire impacts an ecosystem by completely scorching or consuming the canopy biomass. Such impacts can be harmful to biodiversity, although some species benefit or even depend on this level of fire impact.

Recent advances in remote sensing of fire and innovative computation solutions by DCCEEW Remote Sensing Scientists offer accessibility to data on fire severity and landscape patterns of fire heterogeneity across broad regions.