Fires in East and Central Africa

Fires in West and Central Africa

11 August 2004

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Fires were burning across central Africa 10 August 2004. The widespread nature of the fires and the time of year indicates that these fires are being set intentionally for agricultural purposes. Though not necessarily immediately hazardous, such large-scale burning—and the resulting smoke—can have a strong impact on weather, climate, human health, and natural resources. The following images were captured by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS).

10 August 2004
Aqua Satellite

12:30 UTC

10 August 2004
Aqua Satellite

12:25 UTC

(Images based on data from the MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA-GSFC)

For background information on theFire Situation in Africa see:

RegionalWildland Fire Networks (AfriFireNet) and

IFFN Country Reports on CentralAfrican countries

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