Fire Season in the Western United States

Smoky wildfires plagued the western U.S. and Canada in the summer and autumn of 2017.
California’s December Inferno
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California’s December Inferno

The Thomas fire has set new records while ravaging several communities.

Published Dec 24, 2017

Image of the Day Land Fires Human Presence Remote Sensing

Smoke from the Thomas Fire
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Smoke from the Thomas Fire

The Thomas fire is now the fourth largest wildfire on record in California.

Published Dec 15, 2017

Atmosphere Heat Land Fires

California Wildfire Emissions
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California Wildfire Emissions

Smoke and carbon monoxide are among the mixture of emissions lofted into the air and carried offshore.

Published Dec 12, 2017

Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Fires Human Presence Remote Sensing

Fires Continue to Rage in Southern California
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Fires Continue to Rage in Southern California

Thick smoke from the blaze blanketed Santa Barbara.

Published Dec 11, 2017

Atmosphere Land Fires Human Presence Remote Sensing

Fast-Moving Fire Sweeps Through Ventura County
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Fast-Moving Fire Sweeps Through Ventura County

Wildfires continue to menace Southern California.

Published Dec 8, 2017

Image of the Day Land Fires Human Presence Remote Sensing

Smoke Over Southern California
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Smoke Over Southern California

One of NASA’s research pilots and an astronaut took these photographs.

Published Dec 7, 2017

Atmosphere Heat Land Fires Human Presence

Smoke and Fire in Southern California
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Smoke and Fire in Southern California

In December 2017, thick smoke streamed from several fires burning in southern California.

Published Dec 7, 2017

Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Fires Human Presence

Wildfire Lights Up Ventura
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Wildfire Lights Up Ventura

Powerful Santa Ana winds fueled the destructive blaze.

Published Dec 5, 2017

Land Fires Human Presence

Burn Scars on California’s Wine Country
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Burn Scars on California’s Wine Country

The Terra satellite captured this false-color image of charred landscapes left by three October fires.

Published Oct 25, 2017

Heat Land Fires Human Presence

Santa Rosa Scarred by Fire
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Santa Rosa Scarred by Fire

In the past week, 21 wildfires have ignited in communities north and east of San Francisco Bay, consuming at least 170,000 acres.

Published Oct 12, 2017

Image of the Day Land Fires Human Presence Remote Sensing

Explosive Fires in Northern California
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Explosive Fires in Northern California

Blazes that started on a few hundred acres around Napa Valley were fanned by strong northeasterly winds into more than 100,000 acres of burned land in just two days.

Published Oct 10, 2017

Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Fires Human Presence

An American Aerosol in Paris
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An American Aerosol in Paris

Smoke from wildfires burning across the western United States and Canada drifted all the way to Europe.

Published Sep 15, 2017

Image of the Day Atmosphere Fires Remote Sensing

Smoke Pall Spans the United States
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Smoke Pall Spans the United States

Smoke from fires in the Pacific Northwest stretched across the United States.

Published Sep 6, 2017

Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Fires Remote Sensing

Fires near the Montana-Canada Border
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Fires near the Montana-Canada Border

Thick smoke darkened skies over Lake Koocanusa in northern Montana.

Published Sep 5, 2017

Atmosphere Land Fires Human Presence

Wildfires and Smoke in Oregon
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Wildfires and Smoke in Oregon

More than a dozen wildfires and wildfire complexes are contributing to the blanket of smoke over Oregon.

Published Aug 28, 2017

Atmosphere Land Fires

Grassland Fires Tear Through Montana
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Grassland Fires Tear Through Montana

The fires charred an area roughly the size of New York City.

Published Jul 26, 2017

Image of the Day Heat Land Fires