The California Fires as Seen From the International Space Station and Satellites
By News
Published 5 years ago on
October 31, 2019
Share
[aggregation-styles]
The Washington Post Subscription
The Washington Post Subscription
From the ground, the scenes of California’s wildfires are terrifying, but looking down from high above reveals the massive and horrific scale of the blazes. The International Space Station and weather and Earth-observing satellites have detected their massive smoke plumes and, in some cases, their flames.
Most available space-based imagery shows the Kincade Fire, which has been dominating headlines since last Thursday when it broke out in the foothills of Sonoma County, Calif. Fanned by winds gusting over 90 mph at times and humidity plummeting to desert-like dryness, the inferno grew rapidly, now having scorched more than 75,000 acres.
By Sunday, the blaze was expanding at the average rate of 32 football fields per minute, blasting south and east and swallowing an area half the size of Washington, D.C., in just 12 hours.
Most available space-based imagery shows the Kincade Fire, which has been dominating headlines since last Thursday when it broke out in the foothills of Sonoma County, Calif. Fanned by winds gusting over 90 mph at times and humidity plummeting to desert-like dryness, the inferno grew rapidly, now having scorched more than 75,000 acres.
By Sunday, the blaze was expanding at the average rate of 32 football fields per minute, blasting south and east and swallowing an area half the size of Washington, D.C., in just 12 hours.
From @Space_Station I was able to catch these pictures of the California wildfires burning north of the Bay Area. Thinking of the people who have lost their homes and the brave first responders on the front lines protecting them. pic.twitter.com/islV3DP5yM
— Andrew Morgan (@AstroDrewMorgan) October 30, 2019
By Matthew Cappucci and Jason Samenow | 30 Oct 2019
RELATED TOPICS:
Israel Briefs US on Evacuation Plan for Palestinians Ahead of Planned Rafah Assault
World /
8 hours ago
Canadian Police Make 3 Arrests in Sikh Separatist’s Slaying That Sparked a Spat with India
World /
8 hours ago
Three Arrested for Trespassing, Posting Flyers at Fresno Synagogue and Church
Crime /
8 hours ago
Heavy Rains Over Texas Have Led to Water Rescues, School Cancellations and Orders to Evacuate
Weather /
11 hours ago
Google, Justice Department Make Final Arguments About Whether Search Engine is a Monopoly
Business /
11 hours ago
Anchovy Feast Draws the Most Sea Lions to SF’s Fisherman’s Wharf in 15 Years
Animals /
12 hours ago
Captain Sentenced to 4 Years for Criminal Negligence in Fiery Deaths of 34 Aboard Scuba Boat
Crime /
12 hours ago
Categories
Latest
Videos
Local /
7 hours ago
Gov. Newsom Appoints Judges for Fresno, Merced Counties
World /
8 hours ago
Israel Briefs US on Evacuation Plan for Palestinians Ahead of Planned Rafah Assault
World /
8 hours ago
Canadian Police Make 3 Arrests in Sikh Separatist’s Slaying That Sparked a Spat with India
Crime /
8 hours ago