Images
February 23, 2009 - Fires in Indochina
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Hundreds of fires from burning biomass are visible across southeast Asia in this image, captured by the MODIS on the Aqua satellite on February 19, 2009. Bangladesh, bordered on left and right by India, is free of fires. Fires are widespread in the part of India east of Bangladesh and in Myanmar. A grayish pall of smoke hangs over most of the area. The smoke is especially visible over southern Myanmar, and out over the Bay of Bengal, where it nearly obscures the Andaman Islands.
The other countries visible, are China (top right corner), Laos (far right middle), and Thailand (bottom right corner).
Biomass burning is common during this season. This close to the equator, spring-like weather is firmly underway by March, and fires are being set to clear land for planting and to stimulate new growth of pasture grasses. This biomass burning peaks in late winter or early (true) spring (i.e. according to the vernal equinox, not the weather), but not before it significantly impacts air quality for hundreds, even thousands of miles around.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Aqua
Date Acquired: 02/19/2008
Resolutions:
1km ( B), 500m ( B), 250m ( B)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
Hundreds of fires from burning biomass are visible across southeast Asia in this image, captured by the MODIS on the Aqua satellite on February 19, 2009. Bangladesh, bordered on left and right by India, is free of fires. Fires are widespread in the part of India east of Bangladesh and in Myanmar. A grayish pall of smoke hangs over most of the area. The smoke is especially visible over southern Myanmar, and out over the Bay of Bengal, where it nearly obscures the Andaman Islands.
The other countries visible, are China (top right corner), Laos (far right middle), and Thailand (bottom right corner).
Biomass burning is common during this season. This close to the equator, spring-like weather is firmly underway by March, and fires are being set to clear land for planting and to stimulate new growth of pasture grasses. This biomass burning peaks in late winter or early (true) spring (i.e. according to the vernal equinox, not the weather), but not before it significantly impacts air quality for hundreds, even thousands of miles around.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Aqua
Date Acquired: 02/19/2008
Resolutions:
1km ( B), 500m ( B), 250m ( B)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
