NASA posts satellite image of ‘world on fire’

NASA posts satellite image of ‘world on fire’

According to a recent satellite image captured by NASA, "the world is on fire" as many parts of the globe are shown to be actively burning. The incredible aerial picture of the world shows an abundance of red dots which each represent a burning fire. The image was taken using thermal
bands as part of the US space agency’s Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) Worldview application.

NASA suggests most of the fires are down to agriculture or wildfires, caused by the recent hot temperatures the planet has experienced. Most of the red dots are in Africa. NASA revealed the cause on their website: “This could be due to the fact that these are most likely agricultural fires. The location, widespread nature, and number of fires suggest that these fires were deliberately set to manage land.

“Farmers often use fire to return nutrients to the soil and to clear the ground of unwanted plants. While fire helps enhance crops and grasses for pasture, the fires also produce smoke that degrades air quality.”