Start Date: End Date: Published Date Data Date
Data acquired August 1 - 1, 2003 1250 x 950 344 KB - JPEG
Data acquired August 1 - 1, 2003 2500 x 1900 1 MB - JPEG
Data acquired August 1 - 1, 2003 5000 x 3800 3 MB - JPEG
Hundreds of fires were detected across South America by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on the Aqua satellite on August 1, 2003. Fires (red dots) were detected in Brazil (right), Argentina (bottom left), and Paraguay (top left). Biomass burning is concentrated during the months of July-October in the Southern Hemisphere portion of South America, and is linked to agricultural activities, including the use of fire to permanently deforest areas and convert them to agricultural land. In the image, isolated patches of intact forest appear deep green, while agricultural lands and tropical savannas appear lighter green.
Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA/GSFC
Published August 4, 2003 Data acquired August 1 - 1, 2003