In the News: NV5 Geospatial and USGS Release High-Resolution LiDAR Data of Palisades and Eaton Fire Burn Areas Collected with RIEGL Technology
RIEGL technology played a crucial role in the successful release of high-resolution LiDAR data for the Palisades and Eaton Fire burn areas in California. This data, collected by NV5 and utilizing RIEGL’s VQ-1560 II and Applanix IMU, is now freely available to the public courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) at 2025 Post-Wildfire Lidar Data for Los Angeles, CA. The data includes a 0.5-meter Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and Digital Surface Model (DSM). The LiDAR data acquisition was sponsored by ALERTCalifornia.
The data acquisition took place between January 21 and January 22, 2025, and includes essential information for analyzing the impact of the fires. This data is critical for damage assessment, recovery, and rebuilding efforts, as well as understanding potential hazards such as debris flows and flooding. The burn zones were flown at 16 points per square meter and will undergo additional processing to fully comply with USGS 3DEP Lidar Base Specification Standards.
This project underscores the importance of advanced LiDAR technology in supporting recovery and rebuilding efforts after devastating wildfires. By comparing the new data with previous LiDAR collections from 2023 and 2024, researchers can measure changes in terrain, vegetation density, and burn severity. This analysis helps quantify fire damage, identify areas at risk, and guide restoration efforts. Additionally, LiDAR can detect remaining hazards like unstable trees and compromised structures, ensuring safe recovery operations.
RIEGL continues to push the boundaries of LiDAR technology, making significant contributions to disaster recovery and environmental monitoring. These advancements are shaping the future of data acquisition and analysis.
For more information: NV5 and USGS Release High Resolution Lidar Data of Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire Burn Areas to the Public | Utility Dive
About RIEGL:
RIEGL is an international leading provider of cutting-edge technology in airborne, mobile, terrestrial, industrial and unmanned laser scanning solutions for applications in surveying.
RIEGL has been producing LiDAR systems commercially for over 40 years and focuses on pulsed time-of-flight laser radar technology in multiple wavelengths.
RIEGL’s core Smart-Waveform technologies provide pure digital LiDAR signal processing, unique methodologies for resolving range ambiguities, multiple targets per laser shots, optimum distribution of measurements, calibrated amplitudes and reflectance estimates, as well as the seamless integration and calibration of systems.
RIEGL’s Ultimate LiDARTM 3D scanners offer a wide array of performance characteristics and serve as a platform for continuing Innovation in 3D for the LiDAR industry.
From the first inquiry, to purchase and integration of the system, as well as training and support, RIEGL maintains an outstanding history of reliability and support to their customers.
Worldwide sales, training, support and services are delivered from RIEGL’s headquarters in Austria and in the USA; main offices in Japan, China, Hong Kong, Australia, Canada, UK, Germany, and Chile; and a worldwide network of representatives.
