Using the Landsat Imagery Service



How can I use the different download files?

You can choose from a number of different files to download your Landsat imagery:


PNG FILES A low resolution 'Quicklook' image - useful to get an idea of cloud cover at the time the image was captured.


  • 1054 PNG.png has combination of bands 10,5 and 4


  • 763 PNG.png has a combination of bands 7,6 and 3 to give alternative images for picking up the fire scars.


KMZ FILES This file type opens in Google Earth. Useful when viewed in conjunction with NAFI Google Earth files or QLD Globe Google Earth files


  • Enhanced KMZ.kmz A full size kmz version of the 3-band composite image that has been enhanced to show the burnt area more clearly.


  • Enhanced KMZ LowRes.kmz A lower resolution kmz version of the enhanced 3-band composite image - not as clear as the full size kmz but may be easier to handle.

  • Full Size KMZ.kmz A full size kmz version of the 3-band composite image.


  • MIBR KMZ.kmz A kmz version of the image that uses the Middle Infrared Burn Ratio. Very good for highlighting burnt areas but can be hard to differentiate between burnt area and cloud shadow.


  • MIBR KMZ LowRes.kmz A lower resolution kmz version of the MIBR image - not as clear as the full size MIBR kmz but may be easier to handle.

TIF FILES These are full size image files - useful for viewing in mapping programs like ArcMap or QGIS. They can be tweaked in these programs to better highlight the fire scars - particularly the 3-band composite image.


  • Composite.tif A composite made up from 3 of Landsat's 11 bands, the combination of the 3 bands enhances the image show areas that are burnt. This file can be up to 1GB in size.


  • Middle Infrared Burn Ratio.tif A single band tif file which uses the Middle Infrared Burn Ratio. Very good for highlighting burnt areas but can be hard to differentiate between burnt area and cloud shadow.


  • Normalised Burn Ratio.tif A single band tif file which uses the Normalised Burn Ratio calculation. Similar to Middle Infrared Burn Ratio.