On February 1, 2004, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on the Aqua satellite captured this image of scores of fires (marked in yellow) burning across Southeast Asia. The widespread nature of the fires and their location (away from the remaining tracts of forest, which appear dark green) suggest that these fires are being set intentionally for agricultural purposes. Though not necessarily hazardous, such large-scale burning can have a strong impact on weather, climate, human health, and natural resources.
Image courtesy Jesse Allen, based on data from the MODIS Rapid Response Team at NASA GSFC
