Lidar technology offers critical insights for damage assessment, hazard prediction, and recovery planning
LOS ANGELES — NV5, a global leader in geospatial software and services, has announced the public release of high-resolution lidar data for the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire burn areas. Provided by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and sponsored by ALERTCalifornia, this dataset is available under the 2025 Post-Wildfire Lidar Data for Los Angeles, CA initiative. The newly released lidar data includes a .5-meter Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and Digital Surface Model (DSM), offering an advanced tool for post-fire assessment and mitigation planning.
The provisional lidar data was collected on January 21 and January 22, 2025, and serves as a critical resource for assessing fire damage, identifying at-risk areas for landslides or flooding, and guiding ecosystem restoration efforts. Wildfires leave behind unstable landscapes where debris flows, erosion, and infrastructure damage can pose continued risks to communities. Lidar’s precision allows scientists, government agencies, and emergency planners to make data-driven decisions that enhance recovery efforts.
Using Lidar to Understand Fire Impact and Recovery Needs
Lidar technology, which uses laser pulses to generate high-resolution 3D maps of the terrain, is an essential tool in wildfire recovery. By comparing newly collected lidar data with previous NV5 scans from 2023 and 2024—conducted under the USGS’s 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) in collaboration with the Los Angeles Region Imagery Acquisition Consortium (LARIAC) Program—scientists can detect changes in terrain, measure burn severity, and identify potential hazards.
“The Palisades and Eaton fires not only devastated and tore apart the lives, homes, businesses and neighborhoods of thousands of Angelenos, they have also shown the world that cities, counties and jurisdictions across the globe can be hit with devastating fires in our warming world,” said Neal Driscoll, principal investigator at UC San Diego’s ALERTCalifornia. “We are pleased to provide the community with the lidar data as it is essential to developing effective and time-critical plans for wildfire prevention, protection, mitigation, response and recovery.”
Key Applications of the Lidar Data
The data offers a wealth of insights, including:
- Fire Damage Quantification – By comparing the newly acquired 3D point cloud data with past lidar datasets, analysts can accurately determine the extent of vegetation loss, soil erosion, and structural damage.
- Hazard Identification – Lidar can help pinpoint areas at risk of post-fire landslides, debris flows, and flooding, which often occur when vegetation loss reduces the soil’s ability to absorb water.
- Ecosystem and Infrastructure Restoration – The data can guide reforestation efforts, assess road and bridge stability, and support habitat recovery.
- Safety and Planning Support – Lidar enables the detection of remaining hazards, such as unstable trees, compromised structures, and weakened infrastructure, helping emergency responders and city planners make informed decisions.
NV5’s Advanced Lidar Acquisition for Fire Assessment
NV5 used state-of-the-art remote sensing technology to capture this crucial data, deploying the Riegl 1560II sensor and an Applanix IMU to ensure high-accuracy mapping. The burn areas were flown at 16 points per square meter, allowing for exceptionally detailed imaging. The collected data will undergo additional processing to meet USGS 3DEP Lidar Base Specification Standards, ensuring the highest level of accuracy and usability.
“In our changing world, it's critical that the public, first responders, city, state, government planners, utilities, private companies, and builders have consistent, highly detailed information about the local geography to make sure they are armed with the information they need to make decisions,” said Kurt Allen, president of NV5’s geospatial business unit. “We hope the release of this data will be an important step in the recovery of these communities.”
Public Access to the Data
The lidar dataset is now available free of charge to the public, researchers, and agencies through the USGS’s data portal. Providing unrestricted access to this information supports transparency, community resilience, and scientific collaboration.
About USGS
The USGS provides science for a changing world, offering expertise in natural hazards, environmental health, and resource management. To learn more, visit www.usgs.gov or follow them on:
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About NV5
NV5 is a global leader in geospatial solutions, specializing in data acquisition, analytics, and enterprise GIS software. Leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as AI-driven analytics, deep learning, and predictive modeling, NV5 empowers organizations to make informed decisions that mitigate risks and enhance resilience.
Through its broad array of advanced remote sensing technologies, NV5 delivers tailored solutions for wildfire assessment, disaster response, infrastructure planning, and environmental monitoring. From off-the-shelf products to fully customized solutions, NV5 helps clients drive meaningful change across industries, communities, and ecosystems.