Fire
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NASA
Fighting Fire With Fire
In May and June of most years, NASA satellites typically begin to detect large numbers of wildland fires throughout the Top End and Arnhem Land regions of Australia’s Northern Territory. On some days, especially in the afternoon, the blazes can resemble sizable wildfires in satellite imagery, spreading widely and producing expansive smoke plumes. That was the case when NASA’s Aqua satellite acquired this image…
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NASA
Fires Rage in Georgia
An extreme drought that has gripped the Southeast for months helped fuel two large, destructive, human-caused wildland fires in southern Georgia in April 2026. The Pineland Road and Highway 82 fires together burned more than 50,000 acres (20,000 hectares) as of April 28, according to the Georgia Forestry Commission. Satellite images of the fires captured by Landsat 8 show charred forests and residential…
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NASA
Smoke Shrouds Northern Thailand
Chiang Mai, Thailand’s second-largest city, lies within a network of narrow valleys in the country’s northern highlands. Though the historic city is known for panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, clear skies have become less common. In recent decades, smoke has increasingly darkened the skies during the dry season, particularly in March and April. A NASA satellite captured this smoky view of the…
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NASA
Winds Whip Up Fires and Dust on the Southern Plains
High winds coupled with dry conditions fueled fast-spreading wildland fires in the U.S. southern Plains in winter 2026. On February 17, several large blazes broke out on the Oklahoma Panhandle and burned quickly through tens of thousands of acres of grasslands and shrublands. The winds also caused dust storms and low visibility throughout the wider region. Smoke from multiple fires…
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NASA
Fires Erupt in South-Central Chile
Wildland fires broke out amid hot and dry conditions in south-central Chile in mid-January 2026, prompting evacuations and causing extensive damage to infrastructure. As of January 20, the spate of deadly fires had burned more than 30,000 hectares (74,000 acres) in the country’s Biobío and Ñuble regions, according to Chile’s National Forestry Corporation. The MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) instrument on NASA’s Terra satellite captured…
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Fires on the Rise in the Far North
In the far north, wildfires are breaking old patterns. Satellite data show that wildland fires once scattered across the Arctic are now surging in numbers—particularly in northern Eurasia—and many are burning more intensely than before. These maps show the number of fires detected by the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) sensors on NASA’s Aqua and Terra satellites. The map on the left shows fire detections from…
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Press Releases
The Fire Risks in Every Region of the United States
The US has a variety of landscapes, vegetation, and weather patterns. Learn about the various fire risks present in each region of the United States.
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Press Releases
National Center for Integrated Emergency Response (NCIER®) Launches Free On-Demand Active Shooter Incident Management Training for All U.S. First Responders
Addressing the critical need for nationwide preparedness, the National Center for Integrated Emergency Response (NCIER®) announces the launch of Active Shooter Incident Management (ASIM) QuickStart™, a free online video course and certification designed to prepare first responders for integrated, effective action the moment they arrive at an active shooter event. NCIER is strengthening public safety by providing this short-module video…
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Press Releases
4 Warning Signs of an Unsafe Fire Escape
Learn the warning signs of an unsafe fire escape and discover essential maintenance tips to ensure this vital emergency feature stays safe and reliable.
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NASA
NASA Tests Drones to Provide Micrometeorology, Aid in Fire Response
In Aug. 2024, a team of NASA researchers and partners gathered in Missoula, to test new drone-based technology for localized forecasting, or micrometeorology. Researchers attached wind sensors to a drone, NASA’s Alta X quadcopter, aiming to provide precise and sustainable meteorological data to help predict fire behavior. Wildfires are increasing in number and severity around the world, including the United States, and…
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