Lightning is Sparking More Boreal Forest Fires in Far North America

Wildfires in northern Canada and Alaska have been increasing in frequency and area burned. One possible cause is more lightning.

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NASA Earth Observatory maps and charts by Jesse Allen, using data provided by Sander Veraverbeke (Vrije Universiteit). Story by Mike Carlowicz (NASA Earth Observatory), Alan Buis (Jet Propulsion Laboratory), and Brian Bell (University of California, Irvine).

Published December 1, 2017
Data acquired 2015

Sources:

Aqua > MODIS

In situ Measurement

Terra > MODIS