Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA/GSFC
Hundreds of fires were detected across South America by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on the Aqua and Terra satellite satellites beginning on August 1, 2003. Fires (red dots) were detected in Brazil (right), Argentina (bottom left), and Paraguay (top left). Bolivia is visible is some images to the northwest of Paraguay. Biomass burning is concentrated during the months of July-October in the Southern Hemisphere portion of South America, and is linked to agricultural activities, including the use of fire to permanently deforest areas and convert them to agricultural land. In the image, isolated patches of intact forest appear deep green, while agricultural lands and tropical savannas appear lighter green.
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