US

Vid: Astronauts Can See the Texas Wildfires Raging — From Space!

Seeing natural disasters and other events happening on Earth from the bird’s-eye-view of the International Space State can often seem, well, detached. But for one astronaut on the ISS, the fact that he’s seeing the Texas fires rage from space was particularly saddening.

Astronauts Capture Texas Fires From Space

(Photo: NASA/Ron Garan)

Astronauts Capture Texas Fires From Space

Bastrop County, Texas. (Photo: NASA/GSFC/Jeff Schmaltz/MODIS Land Rapid Response Team)

NASA astronaut Mike Fossum asked Mission Control to update him on the fires; they were nearing a place close to his heart. Space.com has more:

Did you guys confirm that the state park Bastrop is one of the directly affected areas with the fire in that region?” Fossum asked from space on Tuesday (Sept. 6).

“Yes Mike, unfortunately that’s true,” capcom Jay Marschke replied from Houston. “The news agencies are reporting up to two-thirds of the park has been burned and hundreds of homes in the area have been destroyed.”

Fossum, an “avid outdoorsman,” according to NASA spokeswoman Nicole Cloutier-Lemasters, was stunned.

“Oh, wow,” he said. “Wow, that’s rough news. Thanks. We’re really thinking about all those folks through there.”

Astronauts Capture Texas Fires From Space

The colors in this photo of the 101 Ranch Fire in Texas have been altered. The burn scar is gray, vegetation is red, and bare or sparsely vegetated ground is tan. Water is navy blue. (Photo: NASA Earth Observatory/NASA/GSFC/METI/ERSDAC/JAROS, and U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team)

The fires in Central Texas have consumed nearly 1,400 homes so far with Bastrop County being the hardest hit.

Watch the footage astronauts have taken from space and their communication with Mission Control:

[H/T MSNBC]

Comments (49)

  • scotty october
    Posted on September 8, 2011 at 9:02pm

    Leaving work in Longview TX today (5:30 PM) I saw a very welcoming sight taking of from East Texas Regional Airport: a tanker plane. Not sure of the model (it was a big twin-turbo prop) and there were three others lined up near the hangers when I drove by.

    They resembled the Aero Union planes that were idle in CA after the Forest Service cancelled their contract a few weeks ago leaving only 11 operable.

    Maybe TX should pick up the contract and hire them out to other states AFTER finishing their job here?

    Report Post »  
    • TXMD
      Posted on September 9, 2011 at 7:35am

      Departed Houston yesterday at 0400 – The sunrise was a dim orange ball obscured by the smoke drifting south over the city. Now in the Bastrop/Austin area working with the First Responders. Unbelievable – their courage and effectiveness, and the force of the fires. Keep all in your prayers. Pray for rain, or some big wind (perhaps from Washington) to blow the High Pressure area away from the Lone Star state and allow some of the Gulf moisture to visit the area. God bless.

      Report Post » TXMD  
  • Texas Tornado
    Posted on September 8, 2011 at 7:22pm

    Another bad one in Montgomery, hopefully my friends up there can go back and see if home still there. The smoke we smelled in Houston was from Montgomery fire. I got a shot of the plume last night from Med Center High rise.

    Report Post »  
  • FoxholeAtheist
    Posted on September 8, 2011 at 6:40pm

    Ah, something about the fires but suspiciously void of Perry on CBS asking for government assistance. Where are all the firemen? I guess when you cut the budget by 75% they can get a little out of control. I‘m sure Beck’s poly compound is safe and sound, though.

    Report Post » FoxholeAtheist  
    • Texas Tornado
      Posted on September 8, 2011 at 7:31pm

      Nice try Sparky, I guess you are ignorant about what a drought is being such a *******. Water does not come from a fawcet until after it arrives on the surface as rain or frozen precipitation. La Nina high pressure dome has cut us off from the normal pattern of seabreeze rains. It happens in cycles, this one is historic and the polar opposite of Allison when we had 45 inches of rain in a couple of days.

      Report Post »  
  • Rayblue
    Posted on September 8, 2011 at 4:11pm

    I know some people in Bastrop. They have acreage on the shore of the Colorado river.
    They had come from California to escape the pollution and government control over water.
    They even had their own antique fire truck and were a volunteer dept. unto themselves.
    They had great fun responding to fires because it made them useful and that’s what they liked.
    Anybody from Bastrop probably knows who I’m talking about.
    Even though they were considered radicals they are the type of people that I can respect.
    I really hope they are spared the wildfires. And I know they are doing what they love.
    Helping others.

    Report Post » Rayblue  
  • Defends the TRUTH
    Posted on September 8, 2011 at 3:35pm

    Folks..many years ago..ya’ll remember the YellowStone fires..and how horrible those fires were?
    Well, since then the land scape is far better off BECAUSE of FIRE..Yes, i to am very sorry for the
    HOMES burned in the TEXAS fires..but i will bet the area is better in a few years because of them!!
    Natures way for a DEEP Cleaning…GOD be with TEXAS!!

    Report Post »  
    • countryclipper
      Posted on September 8, 2011 at 4:07pm

      Thank you from Texas, and yes, the fires you mentioned were horrible indeed, but you hit it right, its natures way of cleaning

      Report Post »  
    • OldVet
      Posted on September 8, 2011 at 4:17pm

      Yellowstone was overgrown with underbrush. Fires had been supressed by the Forest Service until it got dangerous. In these areas of Texas, this is not the problem. The worst drought in history is the problem. The trees are dry. The grass is dead. The humidity is abnormally low. Everything burns. You cannot compare someones yard with the underbrush in a national forest. These fires are killing all the trees as they pass. There will not be a miraculos renewal such as you are discribing, but there will be erosion problems for years. Also don’t discribe having to rebuild your home as an improvement.

      Report Post » OldVet  
    • OldVet
      Posted on September 8, 2011 at 4:29pm

      I don’t know where you guys are from, but obviously not in Texas. I live right here in East Texas and I can see what is happening first hand. I can tell you that this is NOT natures cleanup plan. I assume that by nature you mean God and I can tell you that God wouldn’t do this just to clean up the area. In this area we respect our natural resources and we manage our property. Bad things do happen to good people. This is a bad thing and there is no rosy reward here other than the fact that we will prove our resiliance.

      Report Post » OldVet  
    • loriann12
      Posted on September 8, 2011 at 6:26pm

      I can’t walk in my yard bare footed because the grass is so dead and dry and hard it stabs the feet. We can only water on Wednesdays and Saturdays. We choose to not water the grass at all, but water our garden. I’m still growing sundried tomatoes on the vines. My jalapenos are about an inch long, maybe one and a half, and the only thing left that hasn’t burnt up. I agree about Yellowstone, with the rangers suppressing forest fires, and calling them bad so when if was finally allowed to burn, it was better. We’re talking grazeland, homes, and no federal aid.

      Report Post »  
    • FoxholeAtheist
      Posted on September 8, 2011 at 6:38pm

      Especially when it involves campers and hikers and stupid kids with bottle rockets.

      Report Post » FoxholeAtheist  
    • quicker
      Posted on September 8, 2011 at 8:27pm

      I`ve noticed that jalapenos and habaneros like this weather.However every thing else is dead.I worry about my neighbors in this drought as not only is the surface water is noexcitedtent but the ground water is not being erplenished,Many have wells that if this goes on for much longer they will be in trouble.And if this keeps on much longer plants that rely on the Brozos and San Brenard river for fresh water will have to shut down as the salt content goes above their intake.This will also and to unemployment.

      Report Post » quicker  
  • OldVet
    Posted on September 8, 2011 at 2:58pm

    Could this be True!

    FEMA Gives ‘Texas FireFighters’ Stand Down Order! – Special Edition Video

    http://texasfirefighters.org/videos-fema-gives-texas-firefighters-stand-down-VnvYp9GZtAU.cfm

    If this is correct, I am about to be really afraid for my state.

    Report Post » OldVet  
    • chazman
      Posted on September 8, 2011 at 3:26pm

      … if this is correct then just ignore it. Do not be afraid of the federal government! They are the enemy! Do not fear the enemy!!

      Report Post »  
  • tom
    Posted on September 8, 2011 at 2:26pm

    This president has not nor will not, a state that puts him to shame, they produce jobs. He only helps black, gays, muslim’s and demon-crats. He and his administration have no conscience, do not value human life, and are evil to the bone. Watch out, they are after our freedoms, money, and our families (kids) Chicago style. Vote them out in 2012.

    Report Post » tom  
  • ENDtheFED2012
    Posted on September 8, 2011 at 2:09pm

    Just think………
    If we had our troops home back here in America, we could use them to help fight those fires and they inturn would inject cash (by buying things) in the local economies.
    Instead we have our troops babysitting countries like Germany, Japan and South Korea and casing a bunch of ‘cave dwelling camel jockeys with bad cell phone reception’. Oh yeah……almost forgot……..we’re paying to rebuilding their countries for them too.
    Didn’t Beck say something about the Elite wanting to redistribute American wealth around the Globe?
    That’s a great way to do it, pay to build up other countries, pay to guard other countries all the while letting our country burn.
    Only if Liberals and Neo-Cons worried about America like they worry about the rest of the world…..America would be doing a hell of alot better then it is now.

    Report Post » ENDtheFED2012  
    • cemerius
      Posted on September 8, 2011 at 2:20pm

      In a very strange way I agree with you. Japan and Germany have been more than peaceful for the past 60 plus years! The “camel jockeys” will grin and slobber as long as they keep getting paid!!

      Report Post » cemerius  
    • Servant Of YHVH
      Posted on September 8, 2011 at 3:56pm

      AMEN to endthefed!

      Report Post » Servant Of YHVH  
  • Rayblue
    Posted on September 8, 2011 at 2:07pm

    There it is.
    And here I am.
    Oh boy.
    It’s a hot time in the old town tonight.

    Report Post » Rayblue  
    • GdHUs
      Posted on September 8, 2011 at 2:29pm

      It sure is funny when it‘s someone else’s house going up in flames. Grow up grampa!

      Report Post » GdHUs  
    • Rayblue
      Posted on September 8, 2011 at 2:37pm

      I wasn’t trying to be funny, grandma.
      I’m close enough to smell the smoke.
      Get a grip.

      Report Post » Rayblue  
  • eyestoseeearstohear
    Posted on September 8, 2011 at 2:03pm

    Did anyone hear that the Fires in Texaz were SET INTENTIONALLY? I didn.

    And, I thought it was kind of STRANGE that it would “happen” to occur right at the
    beginning of Rick Perry’s campaigning and debate.

    Hmmmm, I WONDER who would do something like that?

    Report Post »  
    • GdHUs
      Posted on September 8, 2011 at 2:26pm

      Don’t talk stupid.

      Report Post » GdHUs  
    • Obama_Sham
      Posted on September 8, 2011 at 3:09pm

      GDHUS

      Don’t talk…

      Report Post » Obama_Sham  
    • teddie888
      Posted on September 8, 2011 at 3:15pm

      I, too have heard they have proof of arson.

      Fires were burning b-4 Perry entered race, there are many different fires totalling 3.5 Mil acres

      Report Post »  
    • GdHUs
      Posted on September 9, 2011 at 1:20am

      No, no. You misunderstood. I didn’t mean, “Don’t talk, stupid.” I meant, “Don’t talk stupid.” Stupid was intended to be used as an adverb not a noun. I supposed I should have said,” Don’t talk stupidly” But the bottom line here is that we conservatives shouldn’t make such outlandish statements without real proof. Yes, it might have been arson, but what were the odds of it being politically motivated?

      Report Post » GdHUs  
  • Mandors
    Posted on September 8, 2011 at 2:03pm

    It’s amazing how small they look from space.

    Kind of puts into perspective how things that humans think are gigantic and catastrophic seem almost insignificant to the globe as a whole.

    Report Post » Mandors  
  • DanWesson455
    Posted on September 8, 2011 at 1:41pm

    My Brother lives in Bastrop. He has been renovating a 1880″s home. It is like 90% finished. Then these fires hit. He has sent some photos taken near his home from some cemetery. Scary stuff man. Smoke billowing hundreds of feet in the air. Later you can see this huge orange glow in the sky. He says it came within 1 1/2 miles or so. He sent photo’s of just beautiful homes near some gold course. All gone. N. East too much H2O. Mid West no H20 at all. I am praying for all you Texans.

    Report Post » DanWesson455  
  • TomFerrari
    Posted on September 8, 2011 at 1:33pm

    Here in Texas, we are too conservative for obama or for fema to step in and assist.

    Fortunately, we are a CAN-DO state, and we WILL do it for ourselves!
    Never mind the fact Texas has paid in more than it has ever taken out.

    Now, if I were personally a member of a UNION that refused to help ME, but would help anyone who voted for its leaders…

    I would certainly consider withdrawing from that union!!

    I CERTAINLY wouldn’t vote for the same leaders again!!

    I’m just sayin…

    LOL

    Report Post » TomFerrari  
  • Atomicstorm
    Posted on September 8, 2011 at 1:28pm

    Texas is Obama’s Katrina. Good news is that Tropical storm/hurricane Nate is headed towards Texas (slowly). Hopefully it will drop a bunch of rain there and end this problem.

    Report Post »  
  • TheDebtWeAllPay
    Posted on September 8, 2011 at 1:27pm

    Scary stay strong Texas

    Report Post » TheDebtWeAllPay  
  • CultureWarriors
    Posted on September 8, 2011 at 1:17pm

    What does the President have against Texas? Why does he refuse to help them? Using the same logic the Democrats use it must be because he hates Whites and Hispanics. Barack Hussein Obama the first openly racist President.

    Report Post » CultureWarriors  
    • republapig
      Posted on September 8, 2011 at 1:32pm

      Bush caused Katrina. So it follows Maobama caused the Texas wildfires.

      Report Post » republapig  
    • momprayn
      Posted on September 8, 2011 at 1:58pm

      Not only Obama who is extremely racist…..it’s Michelle, Holder – the whole administration.

      Report Post »  
  • I SPY
    Posted on September 8, 2011 at 1:15pm

    But Nobama can’t see it from Washington.

    Report Post » I SPY  
  • gmoneytx
    Posted on September 8, 2011 at 1:14pm

    That’s nice, I saw and smelled the smoke from my home in Houston this morning!

    Report Post » gmoneytx  
    • TXPilot
      Posted on September 8, 2011 at 1:20pm

      Can they also see evidence of Obama and the govt stepping into Texas to help us, or even acknowledge the disaster thats unfolding?….didn’t think so….

      Report Post » TXPilot  
  • CrazyTexan
    Posted on September 8, 2011 at 1:09pm

    Pray for Nate to come our way. I apologize to folks down in Browsville, Corpus and Houston, but my guess is you are almost as dry as we are in central Texas.

    Report Post »  
    • xZEVENx
      Posted on September 8, 2011 at 2:16pm

      Yeah we are in bad shape in Corpus Christi. We have had several days with “Red Flag” warnings.

      Report Post » xZEVENx  
    • M100Spiral
      Posted on September 8, 2011 at 2:32pm

      @CRAZYTEXAN

      I am glad to see that you and your family are alright!!!

      Report Post » M100Spiral  
    • SLARTIBARTFAST
      Posted on September 8, 2011 at 3:03pm

      I haven’t seen a day without Red Flag warnings for several months, but we will survive and thrive in Texas. I’ve lived in Texas 4 different times in my life, and I’ll never leave again. This’ll be where they bury me!

      Report Post » SLARTIBARTFAST  
    • TXMD
      Posted on September 9, 2011 at 7:44am

      Those of us in Houston would welcome rain in almost any form. Wells are going dry in the country between here and San Antonio, trees are dying all over the city, etc. Rain and a nice, damp breeze from the Gulf would be most welcome. Pray for this if you have time in your prayer life – if you have limited time, simply pray for our Country’s return to God and reason. The rain will take care of itself.

      Report Post » TXMD  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on September 8, 2011 at 1:07pm

    MSNBC says Bush and Perry started those fires.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • quicker
      Posted on September 8, 2011 at 8:34pm

      Gonzo I lkike you ,but in this case you`re not very funny.

      Report Post » quicker  

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