Wildfires in Oregon
Fires in the United States
2 October 2009
Wildfires in Oregon
Wildfires continued burning in Oregon on 27 September 2009, as the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASAs Aqua satellite passed overhead. This true-color image shows the Tumblebug Complex fire and Boze and Rainbow Creek fires sending smoke toward the north-northwest. Southeast of Eugene, the smoke appears to thin and turn sharply toward the southwest. The red outlines indicatehotspots associated with searing temperatures.
According to a report from the Incident Information System on 29 September 2009, the Tumblebug Complex fire had burned 13,000 acres (53 square kilometers). Ignited by lightning on 12 September, the fire complex started as 25 individual fires, most of which firefighters successfully contained. Strong winds 2124 September, however, caused a rapid spread of the remaining fires. As of 29 September 2009, this fire complex was 25 percent contained.
On 29 September 2009, the Incident Information System also reported that theBoze and Rainbow Creek fires resulted from a lightning storm 1213 September. These fires were initially reported on 22 September. As of 29 September, these fires had consumed 14,150 acres (57 square kilometers) and were 20 percent contained.
Fires in Yellowstone
On 27 September 2009, a large wildfire burned northwest of Yellowstone Lake while smaller fires burned to the south. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASAs Aqua satellite captured this true-color image the same day. Red outlines indicatehotspots associated with wildfires. Thick smoke from the Arnica fire largely obscures the satellites view of Yellowstone Lake. The smaller fires in the south produce thinner plumes of smoke.
According to a report from the Incident Information System on 29 September 2009, the Arnica fire had burned 9,300 acres (38 square kilometers). Ignited by lightning on 13 September, the fire grew dramatically starting on 24 September, thanks to warm temperatures and high winds. As of 29 September, the fire retained a high growth potential.
(source: earth observatory)
