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© Jeff Schmaltz LANCE/EOSDIS MODIS Rapid Response Team, GSFC
Forest fires continue to plague the hot, dry western part of the United States this summer. In Idaho, several fires were spotted by NASA's Aqua satellite on July 20, 2013. Actively burning areas, detected by MODIS's thermal bands, are outlined in red.

The Lodgepole Fire was detected at noon on Saturday, July 20. Local fire resources were dispatched to the scene where aggressive fire suppression efforts were put into place. The fire is currently burning in lodge pole pine and dispersed Douglas fir. Currently 650 acres have burned and the cause of this fire is under investigation.

The 3,060 acre Ridge Fire has been burning since July 18, the result of a lightning strike. It is currently 7% contained. Fire crews are being helicoptered into the remote, steep location to fight the fire.

The Thunder City fire originated on July 19 as a result of a lighting strike. It is just east of the Stibnite Mining District. This fire is 80 acres in size. According to inciweb.org the fire is burning with a moderate to high level of spread and firefighters have been pulled off the fire as they were not able to gain an upper hand and not able to establish a safety zone.

The Papoose Fire which started July 8 as a result of a lightning strike is the largest of the fires at 6,504 acres. The fire was active yesterday, mainly on the fire's southern end in Wall Creek. Grass, brush and small stands of timber are burning in rugged, inaccessible terrain above the Middle Fork Salmon River. Containment of the fire is expected today, July 22, 2013.

Caption by Lynn Jenner with information from inciweb.org