Fires in the Northern Rockies

Fires in the Northern Rockies

Dozens of fires burning in the Rocky Mountains in Montana were detected by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on the Aqua satellite on the afternoon of August 19, 2003. In the image, fire locations have been marked in yellow. The fires are threatening power transmission lines and many residents have been told to prepare for blackouts as other residents are being evacuated.

This image shows the region surround Flathead Lake (left of center) in northwest Montana. To the north of the lake are several fires burning in Glacier National Park right near the United States-Canada border, while dozens of fires to the south are filling mountain valleys in with smoke.

The high-resolution image provided above is 500 meters per pixel. The MODIS Rapid Response System provides this image at MODIS’ maximum spatial resolution of 250 meters.

Image courtesy Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Rapid Response Team at NASA GSFC