NASA’s Aqua satellite acquired this image of grass and shrub fires raging in Yumbarra Conservation Park on January 16, 2014

In January 2014, an intense heat wave and strong winds fueled an outbreak of hundreds of bushfires in South Australia. NASA’s Aqua satellite acquired this image of grass and shrub fires raging in Yumbarra Conservation Park on January 16, 2014. Red outlines indicate hot spots where the satellite equipment detected unusually warm surface temperatures associated with fire.

Northerly winds blew large plumes of smoke out over the Great Australian Bight. Members of the aboriginal community of Koonibba were preparing to evacuate as a large fire headed in the direction of the town, according to the Australian Broadcasting Company.

1.                  References

1. Associated Press, via USA Today (2014, January 15) Wildfires, blistering heat scorch Australia. Accessed January 16, 2014.
2. Australian Broadcasting Company (2014, January 16) CFS crews spread across the state as fires burn in SA’s extreme heat. Accessed January 16, 2014.
3. South Australia Country Fire Service (2014, January 16) Current incidents. Accessed January 16, 2014.

NASA image courtesy Jeff Schmaltz, LANCE/EOSDIS MODIS Rapid Response Team at NASA GSFC. Caption by Adam Voiland.

Instrument: Aqua – MODIS The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer