iss031e146397

ISS031-E-146397 (27 June 2012) --- An Expedition 31 crew member aboard the International Space Station, flying approximately 240 miles above Earth, recorded a series of images of the current wild fires in the western and southwestern United States. These particular fires, of unknown cause, are burning at the south end of the Wyoming Range in southwestern Wyoming, and have affected 17,000 acres. The fires have produced two major smoke plumes, seen at upper left of the 18mm frame. Winds transport the smoke in a northeasterly direction. Utah?s Great Salt Lake (center) is about 120 miles away. Bear Lake and Utah Lake (very light blue or gray) are also visible in the frame.