October 6, 2011 - Dunphy Complex Fire near Elko, Nevada

Dunphy Complex Fire near Elko, Nevada

NASA's Aqua satellite passed over the Dunphy Complex Fire on Oct. 3, 2011 at 20:50 UTC (4:50 p.m. EDT) and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument onboard captured this image of smoke. The fires are indicated in red.

The Dunphy Complex fire is burning North of Carlin, Nevada and consists of three wildfires sparked by a dry lightning storm on Friday, September 30, 2011. The complex consists of the Indian Creek, Chukar, and Izzenhood Fires, according to Inciweb. Inciweb is the "Incident Information System" website that reports wildfire conditions throughout the country.

Inciweb noted that the area is closed to hunting and recreational traffic. In addition to the fires, the residents of the area are also facing rain and snow. According to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Elko, Nevada, a Winter Storm Warning continues in effect for today (October 6) for elevations above 7,000 feet. The NWS forecasts widespread rainfall over the Great Basin while heavy wet snow is expected above 7,000 feet.

Image Facts
Satellite: Aqua
Date Acquired: 10/3/2011
Resolutions: 1km ( B), 500m ( B), 250m ( B)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit: Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC