These are not 'naturally' occurring clouds the astronauts took while in orbit. They are wildfires out of control on terra firma in Idaho and Montana. The USA can't do anything about those fires? With the right leadership and enough personnel it is amazing what can be done including research and prevention. The USA doesn't make those investments anymore because tax cuts dominate the political priorities of the nation. Shame on anyone that sacrifices the stewardship of Earth over personal wealth.
Anyone want a good paying job working for the National Forestry Service to save our nation's trees? Then make a difference for Earth next time you vote !
On August 13, 2007, while docked to the International Space Station (ISS), the crew members of Shuttle Mission STS-118 and ISS Expedition 15 reported seeing the smoke plumes from wide-spread fires across Idaho and Montana. The crew photographed and downlinked images of isolated plumes (top image) and regional views of the smoke (bottom image) from different perspectives. Strong westerly winds were driving the smoke eastward....
