November 19, 2008
Fires Out West and All Over the Southeast
AIRNow continues to show PM2.5 levels of Code Orange (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups) in parts of Southern, Central, and Northern California, and also in the interior parts of the Pacific Northwest (see AIRNow PM2.5 maps below). According to the National Interagency Fire Center, weather conditions continued to help firefighters in southern California.
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Today’s Terra’s MODIS image does not show any large visible smoke plumes, and the corresponding AOD looks relatively clean where not obscured by clouds.
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However, according the NOAA Hazard Mapping System, literally hundreds of likely fires (thermal anomalies) cover the entire Southeast U.S. (below left). Also note the fires in Canada that are likely contributing to the elevated PM2.5 levels discussed above in the interior Pacific Northwest. Neither the Terra MODIS true color images of the Pacific Northwest (below right) nor images of the Southeast U.S. reveal any discernible smoke plumes. Note the Great Salt Lake in the bottom right of image below right.
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