This Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) image from August 27, 2002, shows two lightning-caused fires in Arizona. The northernmost is the Trick Fire, which is 17 miles southeast of Williams, AZ. Burning in steep, difficult terrain within the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Area, the fire was 5,470 acres as of August 29. Trace amounts of rain on the eastern perimeter brought little assistance to the firefighters, who have the fire about 50 percent contained. Due to drought conditions in the area, water is being delivered by rail car to Williams, AZ, from Grand Canyon National Park at a rate of over 60,000 gallons per day.
To the south are the Pack Rat Complex, about 15 miles north of Payson, Ariz. Started by lightning, this complex was 2,500 acres by August 29.
Image by Jesse Allen, based on data from the MODIS Rapid Response Team at NASA-GSFC
