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Planetary News: Earth (2007)Earth from Space: The Southern California FiresOctober 23, 2007
From Santa Barbara in the north down to the Mexican border 200 miles to the south, at least 14 massive fires continue to blaze all across Southern California. Fueled by dry vegetation that covers wide expanses of the region after several consecutive years of drought, the fires have scorched tens of thousands of acres and destroyed thousands of homes. Hot and dry Santa Ana winds gusting to hurricane speeds have spread the blazes faster than fire fighters could contain them. As the flames advanced, half a million people were hurriedly evacuated from their homes. Hot and dry conditions accompanied by high winds are expected to last through Wednesday, October 24. NASA satellites continue to capture new images of the Southern California wildfires. In the latest, taken by NASA’s Aqua satellite on the afternoon of October 22, billowing smoke can be seen coming off the numerous large fires and spreading over the Pacific Ocean. Fire activity is outlined in red.
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