Evaluating the capabilities of high-resolution PlanetScope and Sentinel-2 images for mapping burned area and vegetation regrowth in Indonesia’s savannas

Savanna fires, driven by human activities and climate change, affect ecosystems and atmospheric conditions in Indonesia, yet remain understudied. Key gaps include post-fire vegetation recovery, long-term fire dynamics, and the limitations of coarse-resolution satellite data for accurate burned area (BA) mapping. Here, we evaluate the performance of Sentinel-2 and PlanetScope imagery for fire mapping and vegetation recovery analysis within the Mount Bromo caldera. Burn and vegetation indices were applied to delineate BAs and assess post-fire vegetation regrowth. A comparison between Sentinel-2 and PlanetScope-derived BA indicated strong agreement (R2 = 0.97, 7OA = 0.96, OE = 0.08, CE = 0.02, DC = 0.94, RB = −0.06), comparable to the official BA map. PlanetScope's higher spatial and temporal resolution proved valuable for tracking fire progression and detecting rapid vegetation recovery, while Sentinel-2 was better suited to longer-term mapping. Combining data from Sentinel-2, PlanetScope, and other existing or upcoming data may enhance BA detection, although high-resolution data availability remains a constraint. These results underscore PlanetScope's potential for enforcement measures and vegetation regrowth monitoring, emphasizing the need for advanced satellite technologies specifically tailored to Indonesia's wildfire context.