October 27, 2007 - California Fires

California Fires

This image, captured by the MODIS on the Aqua satellite, shows the California fires on October 25, 2007 at 2:30 pm local time. When you compare this image to the image of the fires on October 23, you can see that the smoke is more diffuse, and that the wind has changed directions, and is no longer blowing the smoke out over the ocean. If you look at the plumes coming from the fires (the fires are marked in red), you can see the wind is coming in from the water, blowing the smoke inland.

The Santa Ana winds have continued to weaken, helping firefighters, but the fires are still serious. So far, they have destroyed 1500 homes, displaced half a million people, kill up to 12, and caused and estimated $1 billion in damage, according to the Guardian Unlimited.

Image Facts
Satellite: Aqua
Date Acquired: 10/25/07
Resolutions: 1km ( B), 500m ( B), 250m ( B)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit: Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC