December 10, 2009 - Fires in Western Africa

Fires in Western Africa

Agricultural fires burned across much of western Africa in early December 2009. The MODIS on NASA’s Aqua satellite captured this true-color image on December 6, 2009. Red outlines indicate hotspots associated with high surface temperatures, and the fires range from Cote d’Ivoire in the west to Nigeria in the east.

Although most of the fires emit no visible smoke plumes, plumes do arise from blazes in Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Nigeria. South of the fires, tiny clouds trace the coastline.

Image Facts
Satellite: Aqua
Date Acquired: 12/06/2009
Resolutions: 1km ( B), 500m ( B), 250m ( B)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit: Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC