Heat map of the Earth. Watch 11 years of >10 million fires recorded by two NASA satellites, Terra and Aqua, condensed into a minute. Over 70% of the world’s fires were recorded over Africa, most caused by agricultural practices or lightning. USA, in contrast, had less than 2%. Data were recorded using MODIS (MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) and shown as a heat map.
Info from: http://www.zmescience.com/ecology/climate/burning-fire-outer-space-22102011/
Interesting study. Seems to occur more near the equator.
Tom Lee , more slash and burn agriculture in the tropics, perhaps? The fires near the Amazon and sub-Sahara are sobering.