Fires in Mozambique

This series of true-color Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) images was captured by the Aqua satellite. The images are generally centered on the African country of Mozambique, and highlight the widespread extent of the burning season in the region. (Fires are marked with red dots). The series begins in early September and runs through late October 2002. In some of the images, surrounding countries can be seen. For example, Malawi (in which resides Lake Malawi) often dips into Mozambique from the top of the image. Fires are largely agricultural in nature, although in some cases, planned agricultural burns get out of control and destroy surrounding natural vegetation.

Credit: Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA/GSFC