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Central Africa By the Light of Agricultural Fires

Suomi NPP Image of Central African fires
The Suomi NPP VIIRS instrument captured a look at multiple fires and smoke burning in Central Africa on June 03, 2016.

The Suomi NPP satellite’s Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument captured a look at multiple fires and smoke burning in Central Africa on June 03, 2016.

Actively burning areas, detected by VIIRS are outlined in red. The fires appear to be dotted indiscriminately across the entire terrain making it more likely that these are intentional agricultural fires set by people to prepare for the upcoming growing season. Farmers often use fire to return nutrients to the soil and to clear the ground of unwanted plants. While fire helps enhance crops and grasses for pasture, the fires also produce smoke that degrades air quality. Less likely is that they may be accidental forest fires.

The Suomi NPP satellite is a joint mission between NASA, NOAA and the U.S. Department of Defense.

NASA image courtesy Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Rapid Response Team. Caption: NASA/Goddard, Lynn Jenner