NASA releases assessment of New Guinea fires and heavy smoke

NASA Earth Observatory published a review of New Guinea’s fires on 22 October. A NOAA-20 image from 11 October shows thick smoke over the island’s south. The publication date does not mean that all the pictured fires began within the past day.

Citing the Global Fire Emissions Database, NASA reports that fires in Papua New Guinea had released nearly 32 million tonnes of carbon by 17 October. This is a cumulative estimate, not a daily figure or the mass of carbon dioxide.

The review connects the fires with drought during El Niño and burning associated with land clearance. Smoke is worsening air quality. Researchers expect heavy seasonal rains to help reduce the fires.

Primary source: https://science.nasa.gov/earth/earth-observatory/fires-char-new-guinea/.

Cover: NASA Earth Observatory / Michala Garrison, NOAA-20/VIIRS; image captured on 11 October 2026.