Fires Near Alice Springs, Australia

NASA's Aqua satellite captured smoke and heat signatures from several fires burning near Alice Springs in Australia's Northern Territory on Oct. 6, 2011 at 04:30 UTC (12:30 a.m. EDT/2 p.m. local time, Alice Springs, Australia). The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument onboard Aqua captured this image of smoke and fires (indicated by red areas).

The Australian Broadcasting Company (ABC) reported on Oct. 3 that firefighters in the southern part of Australia's Northern Territory have been battling several fires burning out of control near Alice Springs. Reports indicate more than 25 fires are burning across central Australia. ABC news reported that the fiercest fires are occurring Henbury East, Maryvale, Luritja and Simpson North.

NASA image courtesy Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Rapid Response Team. Caption: NASA/Goddard, Rob Gutro