Crystal Fire, Idaho

Lightning ignited the Crystal Fire on August 15, 2006. It began 10 miles west of Aberdeen in southeast Idaho and spread northeast toward Atomic City, consuming about 220,000 acres before being fully contained on August 31. In the August 8 image, taken before the fire, dark blue represents barren areas, including ancient lava flows. Craters of the Moon National Monument is just off the image to the northwest. In the August 24 image, the Crystal Fire has spread to nearly its maximum extent, creating newly barren areas which also appear dark blue. Images taken by the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus sensor onboard Landsat 7. Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat Missions Gallery. "Crystal Fire, Atomic City, Idaho, USA." U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.