Smoke From Colby Fire Is Visible From Space (PHOTOS)

Smoke From California Fire Is Visible From Space

A large wildfire in the San Gabriel Mountains, about 25 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles, is generating plumes of smoke that are visible from space.

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The images were captured by NASA and the National Weather Service's satellites. Here's a live animated view of the smoke from space.

The blaze, dubbed the "Colby Fire," has burned more than 1,700 acres since it started early Thursday morning. Almost 2,000 residents have received evacuation orders, and two structures have already been destroyed by the fire. Police have arrested and charged three people with recklessly starting a fire.

The powerful Santa Ana winds, coupled with California's driest recorded year in 2013, are making it more difficult for the 700 firefighters currently deployed to keep the blaze under control.

Stay updated on the fire here.

Before You Go

Colby Fire, Jan 2014

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