The fires in the southeast were in the news a few months ago when flames ripped through Gatlinburg, Tennessee, as well as Alabama, Georgia, and North Carolina. This image from January 30, 2017, shows that the fires in the area have not abated. Even with cooler temperatures and active seasonal moisture, these fires seemed determined not to be put to rest. The Suomi NPP satellite’s Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument captured a look at the multiple fires and smoke, and actively burning areas detected by VIIRS, are outlined in red.
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