image: Forest fires in the Amur Oblast area of Russia were captured in this Aqua satellite image from May 9, 2016. Insidious columns of smoke are rising from the hot spots outlined in red on this image. Smoke released by any type of fire (forest, brush, crop, structure, tires, waste or wood burning) is a mixture of particles and chemicals produced by incomplete burning of carbon-containing materials and all smoke contains carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and particulate matter or soot. The darker brown areas on the image show burn spots from previous wildfires. This natural-color satellite image was collected by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiome (MODIS) instrument aboard Aqua. view more
Credit: NASA image courtesy Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Rapid Response Team. Caption: NASA/Goddard, Lynn Jenner