BANGKOK, March 8 (UPI) — Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the largest reserves in Southeast Asia. Part of it is on fire.
On March 1, NASA’s Terra satellite captured imagery of the fire damage as it orbited above. The next day, NASA’s Landsat 8 satellite snapped more detailed close-ups of the fire and smoke.
On Monday, NASA released two images captured by Landsat 8. The first combines bands of visible and infrared light to produce a false color image. In this image, multiple lines of fire can be seen advancing both north and south, leaving behind acres of scorched forest.
The second image offers a closer view of the plumes of smoke billowing from the wildfires. This image shows the forest, fire and smoke in natural color.
Toxic haze remains a problem throughout Southeast Asia, as the smoke from both natural and man-made fire — as well as other sources of pollution and air particulates — gets trapped beneath heavy air.
According to the Bangkok Post, haze was a safety hazard on seven days in January and February in 2015. This year, haze levels have exceeded safety standards on 25 days.
