Copernicus EU: Emergency Management Service activated for bushfire near Perth

15.02.2021

Emergency Services Australia requested activation of the European Union's Copernicus Emergency Management Service (EMS) during the February bushfires on the outskirts of Perth, Western Australia.

The activation was made on 5 February after extreme fire conditions resulted in significant fire activity and property/infrastructure loss north-east of Perth. The fire destroyed 86 homes.

Below is an example of an EMS map produced during the activation.You can access further maps and information here.

Fire map

Copernicus EMS plays a critical role in rapid disaster response worldwide. The most recent activation in WA was the 500th request for EMS assistance received since April 2012.

Tweet on a fire

Did you know? The EMS undertook its largest emergency mapping operation of 2019 to help Australian authorities respond to the bushfire crisis. Following a request by GeoScience Australia, EU satellites provided Australian authorities with 29 maps.

Satellite image of a fire

The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service calculated the Australian bushfires emitted 434 million tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere between September 2019 and February 2020. This equates to more than to 3/4 of the emissions caused by industry in Australia in 2018-19.