This July 4, 2008 image provided by NASA shows the Basin fire in central California as seen from the International Space Station at a distance of approximately 344 km or 215 miles above Earth. One of the largest and most destructive fires raging across California over the July 4th weekend was the Basin fire, threatening Big Sur, and covering the coast in a thick blanket of smoke. At the time this image was taken, more than 300 fires were burning in California alone. The Basin fire, triggered by a thunderstorm, has burned 77,000 acres, and is still only partially contained. AFP PHOTO / NASA == GETTY OUT ==