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NV5 Geospatial Blog

Each month, NV5 Geospatial posts new blog content across a variety of categories. Browse our latest posts below to learn about important geospatial information or use the search bar to find a specific topic or author. Stay informed of the latest blog posts, events, and technologies by joining our email list!


Monitor, Measure & Mitigate: Integrated Solutions for Geohazard Risk

Monitor, Measure & Mitigate: Integrated Solutions for Geohazard Risk

9/8/2025

Geohazards such as slope instability, erosion, settlement, or seepage pose ongoing risks to critical infrastructure. Roads, railways, pipelines, and utility corridors are especially vulnerable to these natural and human-influenced processes, which can evolve silently until sudden failure occurs. Traditional ground surveys provide only periodic... Read More >
Geo Sessions 2025: Geospatial Vision Beyond the Map

Geo Sessions 2025: Geospatial Vision Beyond the Map

8/5/2025

Lidar, SAR, and Spectral: Geospatial Innovation on the Horizon Last year, Geo Sessions brought together over 5,300 registrants from 159 countries, with attendees representing education, government agencies, consulting, and top geospatial companies like Esri, NOAA, Airbus, Planet, and USGS. At this year's Geo Sessions, NV5 is... Read More >
Not All Supernovae Are Created Equal: Rethinking the Universe’s Measuring Tools

Not All Supernovae Are Created Equal: Rethinking the Universe’s Measuring Tools

6/3/2025

Rethinking the Reliability of Type 1a Supernovae   How do astronomers measure the universe? It all starts with distance. From gauging the size of a galaxy to calculating how fast the universe is expanding, measuring cosmic distances is essential to understanding everything in the sky. For nearby stars, astronomers use... Read More >
Using LLMs To Research Remote Sensing Software: Helpful, but Incomplete

Using LLMs To Research Remote Sensing Software: Helpful, but Incomplete

5/26/2025

Whether you’re new to remote sensing or a seasoned expert, there is no doubt that large language models (LLMs) like OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Google’s Gemini can be incredibly useful in many aspects of research. From exploring the electromagnetic spectrum to creating object detection models using the latest deep learning... Read More >
From Image to Insight: How GEOINT Automation Is Changing the Speed of Decision-Making

From Image to Insight: How GEOINT Automation Is Changing the Speed of Decision-Making

4/28/2025

When every second counts, the ability to process geospatial data rapidly and accurately isn’t just helpful, it’s critical. Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) has always played a pivotal role in defense, security, and disaster response. But in high-tempo operations, traditional workflows are no longer fast enough. Analysts are... Read More >
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Rapid Wildfire Mapping in Los Angeles County

JP Metcalf

On January 8, WorldView-3 shortwave infrared (SWIR) imagery captured the ongoing devastation of the wildfires in Los Angeles County. The data revealed the extent of the burned areas at the time of the capture, offering critical insights for rapid response and recovery.

To analyze the affected region, we utilized a random forest classification in ENVI® software to identify and delineate the burned zones with precision. Utilizing the powerful machine-learning algorithms in ENVI allowed us to process the imagery efficiently, highlighting the areas impacted by the fire.

 

The results, shown in the red-highlighted regions, were then pushed to ENVI Connect, a cloud-based platform for geospatial collaboration and mapping.

The integration with ENVI Connect enables responders and analysts to quickly share results, collaborate, and act on the data. This workflow demonstrates the power of combining advanced classification techniques with seamless cloud-based tools to support rapid decision-making in wildfire disaster scenarios.

This case highlights how advanced geospatial technology can bridge the gap between data acquisition and actionable insights. The ability to map wildfire extent rapidly with ENVI and facilitate collaboration through ENVI Connect underscores the importance of geospatial tools in disaster response and recovery.

 

NV5’s Commitment to Helping Los Angeles

To support the disaster response and recovery efforts in LA, NV5 is currently offering temporary licenses for ENVI® and ENVI SARscape software to those assisting on the front lines. If you or your organization are involved in disaster response efforts in LA, we encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity. For more information about the temporary license or how our solutions or services can assist in disaster response, please contact us.

 

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