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NOAA Image of the Day
Fires in Arizona and New Mexico Attest to Critical Fire Weather Conditions
A large area in the U.S. southwest including all of New Mexico, most of Arizona and parts of Texas, California, Nevada, Colorado and Utah have been designated Critical or Extremely Critical Fire Weather areas. A combination of very strong winds, very low relative humidity and severe to extreme drought in many locations are keeping fire fighters busy throughout the region. The Baldy Fire in New Mexico has consumed 6100 acres so far, a 53% increase from yesterday, while the Gladiator Fire has burned 15,622 acres and the Sunflower Fire has consumed 16,175 acres. This image was taken by TERRA MODIS on May 22, 2012. Frequency band 7 in the red channel shows hotspots in orange, and in combination with band 2 in the green channel shows burn scars in red, while healthy vegetation presents as vibrant green. Band 1 in the blue channel shows clouds and smoke.
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