Blazing Records: Stunning Space Station Photo Captures Pacific Northwest Engulfed in Smoke

Noteworthy Achievement: Breathtaking Image from Space Station Depicts Pacific Northwest Enshrouded in Smoke

The satellite depiction showcases the dispersion of smoke across various regions encompassing British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and Montana on the date of August 16, 2023. This image was procured via the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) embedded on NASA’s Aqua satellite.

Prolonged spells of scorching temperatures, coupled with episodes of forceful winds and an enduring drought, have contributed to the escalation of substantial forest fires across the western regions of Canada and the United States.

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), located aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite, successfully captured the aforementioned illustration which delineates the propagation of smoke over portions of British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and Montana, all transpiring on the 16th of August, 2023. Coincidentally, on the very same day, astronauts stationed aboard the International Space Station managed to capture a meticulously detailed photograph, displayed below, which exhibits smoke enveloping the valleys adjacent to the towns of Golden and Revelstoke, within the province of British Columbia.

Heightened Fire Activity Fueled by Recent Climatic Phenomena

The surge in fire incidents has materialized in the aftermath of an unprecedented heatwave that shattered a multitude of temperature records within the province of British Columbia on August 14. Despite a subsequent moderation in temperatures over the following days, occurrences of lightning-induced storms instigated the ignition of fresh fires. Moreover, the convergence of robust winds has propelled these smaller fires into swiftly moving, smoky conflagrations. Consequently, governing bodies in both the United States and Canada have enacted advisories pertaining to air quality and evacuation protocols, specifically targeted towards regions where the presence of smoke and fires imperils local communities.

Photographic Evidence from August 16, 2023, Courtesy of ISS Astronauts

An image taken on the 16th of August, 2023, by astronauts situated aboard the International Space Station provides visual documentation of the prevailing conditions. The image affords a panoramic view of the affected areas, showcasing the extent to which smoke has permeated valleys in British Columbia, specifically in the vicinity of the towns of Golden and Revelstoke.

Drought Conditions as an Underlying Precursor

The recent amplification of heat waves and forceful winds exacerbates an already existent issue—an enduring drought that has beset the region since the prior year, rendering the vegetation exceptionally prone to combustion. In accordance with assessments conducted by the North American Drought Monitor, substantial portions of the Pacific Northwest are characterized by either abnormal dryness or the presence of moderate to severe drought conditions as of mid-August, 2023.

Fire-Related Data: Canada and the United States

Canada is grappling with one of the most devastating fire seasons in several decades, as indicated by data disseminated by the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. The conflagrations have engulfed an expanse exceeding 13.7 million hectares (33.9 million acres) up until August 17—a magnitude surpassing the 25-year average by more than sevenfold. Conversely, the United States has encountered a relatively subdued wildfire season, with approximately 1.7 million acres succumbing to the flames by mid-August. This figure contrasts significantly with the historical average of 4.4 million acres, typically recorded by the U.S. National Interagency Fire Center for the same period.

Attributions for the Image and its Enhancement

The image, captured by Lauren Dauphin under the auspices of NASA Earth Observatory, incorporates MODIS data furnished by NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. Meanwhile, the photograph acquired on August 17, 2023, by an astronaut utilizing a Nikon D5 digital camera equipped with a 50-millimeter lens, has been presented through the collaborative efforts of the ISS Crew Earth Observations Facility and the Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, situated at the Johnson Space Center. Noteworthy modifications have been applied to the image, encompassing cropping and enhancement techniques intended to optimize contrast while eliminating lens-related artifacts. The International Space Station Program remains steadfast in its dedication to the ISS National Lab, which is designed to assist astronauts in capturing Earth-centric images of paramount significance to both scientific communities and the general populace. These images are then made readily accessible to the public via online platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about wildfires

More about wildfires

• NASA’s Aqua Satellite
• Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)
• International Space Station
• Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre
• North American Drought Monitor
• U.S. National Interagency Fire Center