This Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) image from August 4, 2004, shows numerous fires (red dots) scattered across southeastern Africa, including aprts of Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Republic of South Africa. Areas were the MODIS detected fires are marked in red.
The widespread nature of the fires and the time of year suggests 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 by Jesse Allen, based on data from the MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA-GSFC
