India: Forest Fires in India
15 March 2004
Late Winter Fires Across India
(Image courtesy MODISRapid Response Team, NASA-GSFC)
This ModerateResolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) image of southern and centralIndia was captured on March 15, 2004, by the Aquasatellite. Across the country, numerous fires are burning and have been markedin red in the image. In the bottom part of the scene, fires line the foothillsof the Western (left) and Eastern (right) Ghats Mountains. In the top of thescene, the fires are predominantly located near rivers.
The widespread nature of the fires and the time of year suggests that thesefires are being set intentionally for agricultural purposes. Though these firesdo not necessarily create an immediate hazard, such large-scale burning can havea strong impact on weather, climate, human health, and natural resources.
Source: NASA Earth Observatory
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/shownh.php3?img_id=12003
(Source: OSEI,NOAA)
For GFMC reports from India see InternationalForest Fire News.
See also the GFMC photo archive India.
