image: The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer flying aboard the Aqua satellite acquired this true-color image on July 11, 2012 at 19:50 UTC (July 12 at 3:50 am EDT/U.S.) An out of control wildfire which was started by a lightning strike has obliterated almost 250,000 acres of land in Mackenzie County in northwestern Alberta, Canada. From the Daily Herald Tribune of northwest Alberta: In order to battle the blaze, Sustainable Resource Development (SDR) has called on several hundred firefighters from across the province, however, SDR is having a difficult time attacking the fire due to an excessive amount of smoke as is evidenced in this satellite image from the MODIS instrument on the Aqua satellite. A combination of the dry heat and a high burst of winds, which started gusting Tuesday, caused the fire to ‘come out of nowhere.’ Currently, there is another wildfire burning about 15 kilometers southeast of La Crete and is estimated at 2,500 acres. There are about 100 firefighters, five helicopters and various pieces of equipment to help contain that fire. Approximately 30 kilometers north of Meander River there is yet another fire estimated at almost 4,000 acres. There are about 100 firefighters, four helicopters and additional equipment helping contain that fire. Wednesday afternoon Alberta Health Services issued an air quality smoke advisory for all areas in the North Zone as a result of the fires. view more
Credit: Image: Jeff Schmaltz, NASA Goddard MODIS Rapid Response Team; Caption: Lynn Jenner, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center