India and Pakistan have two main growing seasons—one from May to September and another from November to April. In November, farmers typically sow crops such as wheat and vegetables; but before they do that farmers often set fire to fields to clear them for planting. Since it is early October, farmers are most likely clearing those fields with fire when the Suomi NPP satellite’s Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument captured this image on October 04, 2017.
Actively burning areas, detected by VIIRS are outlined in red. When they are accompanied by smoke, as in this image, they are indicative of fire.
The Suomi NPP satellite is a joint mission between NASA and NOAA.
NASA image courtesy Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Rapid Response Team. Caption: NASA/Goddard, Lynn Jenner