Fires in Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola

Over a hundred fires were burning in the Democratic Republic of Congo (top) and Angola (bottom) on May 14, 2002. Most of the fires are probably set by humans to clear land for farming or to create rangelands. In this way, vast areas of the continent are being transformed; for example, extensive deforestation is apparent in the rainforests at the top of the image.

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Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA/GSFC

Published May 19, 2002
Data acquired May 14, 2002

Source:

Terra > MODIS

Collection:

Visible Earth