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August 11, 2021 - Wildfires in the Western United States
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The devastating 2021 fire season in the Western United States continued at high intensity through early August, fanned by drought, extremely hot temperatures, low humidity, and gusting winds. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, on August 9 there were 108 large fires burning across the United States and these fires have burned 2.4 million acres in 15 states. Most of these fires are located in the Western states, with Montana reporting 24 large fires; Idaho, 20; Oregon 17; Washington, 15; and California counting 11 large fires. In addition, 3 large fires burn in Wyoming with Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and Arizona counting one in each state. A “large fire” is typically defined as any wildland fire 100 acres or greater in timber, or 300 acres or greater in grassland/rangelands, or one that has an Incident Management Team assigned to it.
The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on board NASA’s Terra satellite acquired this true-color image of multiple fires and heavy smoke on August 9. The most prominent fires cluster in northern California and more red hotspots—each indicating actively burning fire—can be seen in Oregon. A river of smoke originating from the fires pours eastward across United States. Ultimately, that smoke stretched more than 1,800 miles (3,000 km) to reach the Atlantic Ocean on that date.
The largest fire currently burning in the United States is the Dixie Fire. Located in northern California, the fire started on July 13 and has become the second-largest fire in California history. The cause is under investigation. It is burning on the Plumas National Forest, Lassen National Forest, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and in four counties: Butte, Lassen, Plumas, and Tehama. According to Inciweb Incident Management System, as of August 9 the Dixie Fire has scorched 490,205 Acres and is only 27 percent contained. CAL FIRE, the authority managing the incident, reports that 893 structures have been destroyed and 61 have been damaged. Three firefighters have been injured, with nearly 6,000 personnel working the fire. Extremely dry fuel, hot weather, low humidity, and gusty winds continue to make this a very active fire.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Terra
Date Acquired: 8/9/2021
Resolutions:
1km (877.4 KB), 500m (3 MB), 250m ( B)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
The devastating 2021 fire season in the Western United States continued at high intensity through early August, fanned by drought, extremely hot temperatures, low humidity, and gusting winds. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, on August 9 there were 108 large fires burning across the United States and these fires have burned 2.4 million acres in 15 states. Most of these fires are located in the Western states, with Montana reporting 24 large fires; Idaho, 20; Oregon 17; Washington, 15; and California counting 11 large fires. In addition, 3 large fires burn in Wyoming with Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and Arizona counting one in each state. A “large fire” is typically defined as any wildland fire 100 acres or greater in timber, or 300 acres or greater in grassland/rangelands, or one that has an Incident Management Team assigned to it.
The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on board NASA’s Terra satellite acquired this true-color image of multiple fires and heavy smoke on August 9. The most prominent fires cluster in northern California and more red hotspots—each indicating actively burning fire—can be seen in Oregon. A river of smoke originating from the fires pours eastward across United States. Ultimately, that smoke stretched more than 1,800 miles (3,000 km) to reach the Atlantic Ocean on that date.
The largest fire currently burning in the United States is the Dixie Fire. Located in northern California, the fire started on July 13 and has become the second-largest fire in California history. The cause is under investigation. It is burning on the Plumas National Forest, Lassen National Forest, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and in four counties: Butte, Lassen, Plumas, and Tehama. According to Inciweb Incident Management System, as of August 9 the Dixie Fire has scorched 490,205 Acres and is only 27 percent contained. CAL FIRE, the authority managing the incident, reports that 893 structures have been destroyed and 61 have been damaged. Three firefighters have been injured, with nearly 6,000 personnel working the fire. Extremely dry fuel, hot weather, low humidity, and gusty winds continue to make this a very active fire.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Terra
Date Acquired: 8/9/2021
Resolutions:
1km (877.4 KB), 500m (3 MB), 250m ( B)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
