October 16, 2008--Strong Santa Ana winds drove a plume of smoke seaward and stoked two wildfires that charred several dozen square miles in and around Los Angeles last week.

This October 13 Aqua satellite image shows thick smoke drifting past the Channel Islands and across the Pacific Ocean. Fainter dust plumes shadowing the smoke are visible just below the main plume.

L.A.'s big blazes, which destroyed dozens of homes and claimed at least two lives, were under control by the weekend.