This Aqua-MODIS satellite image captured thick plumes of smoke drifting across the Pacific Ocean from wildfires northwest of Los Angeles. A number of wildfires in drought-stricken Southern California exploded into infernos over the weekend, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate their homes. Santa Ana winds drove the fires to consume thousands of acres in just a few days, speeding down from the mountains to reach the outskirts of coastal cities such as San Diego.

Since the image was taken on October 22, firefighters have been unsuccessful in containing the wind-fueled blazes that continue to rage out of control. Several hundred houses appear to have been heavily damaged or destroyed, and at least one person has died according to news reports. Emergency officials reportedly fear the damage will exceed that of 2003, when California had its worst fire season on record.

--NASA and SPACE.com Staff

Credit: NASA