Florida Wildfires Seen From Space

florida-wildfires-110303-02 — Florida's raging wildfires. (Image credit: NASA Earth Observatory.)

A NASA satellite captured an image of the heavy smoke rising from the raging wildfires in eastern Florida.

NASA's Aqua satellite detected three large fires burning in eastern Florida on Feb. 28. All three wildfires burned out of control and threatened homes, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.

Dense clouds of smoke from the fire forced officials to close parts of U.S. Highway 1 and Interstate 95, according to news reports.

The fire had destroyed one home and was burning toward more densely populated areas, reported CNN.

A supervisor with the Florida Division of Forestry named the fire "Iron Horse" after a popular Bike Week bar in Ormond Beach, Fla., according to news reports. The fire is not near the bar, but the supervisor said the fire would likely keep him away from Bike Week, which begins Friday.

In the north, the Keller Fire also closed roads, including Highway 1 and Interstate 95. The smaller Ferry-7 fire burned primarily in National Forests.

The cause of the fires is not yet known.

The three fires burn near the eastern coast. (Image credit: NASA Earth Observatory.)

TOPICS

For the science geek in everyone, Live Science offers a fascinating window into the natural and technological world, delivering comprehensive and compelling news and analysis on everything from dinosaur discoveries, archaeological finds and amazing animals to health, innovation and wearable technology. We aim to empower and inspire our readers with the tools needed to understand the world and appreciate its everyday awe.