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June 30, 2012 - Fires across western United States (afternoon overpass)
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Fanned by heavy winds and fueled by extremely dry conditions, many intense wildfires burned across the western United States in late June, 2012. Although the major fires in Colorado gained the most attention, including a visit by the President of the United States on June 29, other large wildfires burned throughout Utah, Wyoming, Montana, New Mexico and Arizona.
On June 28, when the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aboard the Aqua satellite captured this true-color image of the region, the Waldo Canyon fire, near Colorado Springs, had already become the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history, surpassing the High Park fire, near Fort Collins, for that title. By June 30, the Waldo Canyon fire had consumed at least 346 homes, with 24 more structures damaged, and two civilian fatalities. It had burned 17,073 acres and was only 25% contained. The High Park fire killed one person and destroyed 259 homes. After having consumed 87,284 acres of land, it was 97% contained, with 100% containment anticipated by July 1.
In this image, both the High Park and the Waldo Canyon fires are hidden from view under thick white clouds. The Pine Ridge fire is visible in western Colorado. In Wyoming, the Fontenelle Fire is marked in red as it raged in Lincoln and Sublette Counties. The fire and smoke signatures in Utah involved several fires, including the Dump, Seeley, Church Camp and Pole Creek fires poured smoke into the air.
On June 30, Inciweb was reporting on 11 active wildfires in Colorado, 6 in Utah, 4 in Wyoming, 9 fires in Montana, two of which were prescribed burns, 5 wildfires in New Mexico and 8 wildfires in Arizona.
A lack of winter snow cover and ongoing drought primed vegetation in these states for ignition. In recent weeks, another ingredient for extreme wildfire emerged: heat. High temperatures dry out vegetation and decrease the relative humidity, making it easier for fires to ignite and spread.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Aqua
Date Acquired: 6/28/2012
Resolutions:
1km ( B), 500m ( B), 250m ( B)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
Fanned by heavy winds and fueled by extremely dry conditions, many intense wildfires burned across the western United States in late June, 2012. Although the major fires in Colorado gained the most attention, including a visit by the President of the United States on June 29, other large wildfires burned throughout Utah, Wyoming, Montana, New Mexico and Arizona.
On June 28, when the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aboard the Aqua satellite captured this true-color image of the region, the Waldo Canyon fire, near Colorado Springs, had already become the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history, surpassing the High Park fire, near Fort Collins, for that title. By June 30, the Waldo Canyon fire had consumed at least 346 homes, with 24 more structures damaged, and two civilian fatalities. It had burned 17,073 acres and was only 25% contained. The High Park fire killed one person and destroyed 259 homes. After having consumed 87,284 acres of land, it was 97% contained, with 100% containment anticipated by July 1.
In this image, both the High Park and the Waldo Canyon fires are hidden from view under thick white clouds. The Pine Ridge fire is visible in western Colorado. In Wyoming, the Fontenelle Fire is marked in red as it raged in Lincoln and Sublette Counties. The fire and smoke signatures in Utah involved several fires, including the Dump, Seeley, Church Camp and Pole Creek fires poured smoke into the air.
On June 30, Inciweb was reporting on 11 active wildfires in Colorado, 6 in Utah, 4 in Wyoming, 9 fires in Montana, two of which were prescribed burns, 5 wildfires in New Mexico and 8 wildfires in Arizona.
A lack of winter snow cover and ongoing drought primed vegetation in these states for ignition. In recent weeks, another ingredient for extreme wildfire emerged: heat. High temperatures dry out vegetation and decrease the relative humidity, making it easier for fires to ignite and spread.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Aqua
Date Acquired: 6/28/2012
Resolutions:
1km ( B), 500m ( B), 250m ( B)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
