This post was originally published on Mashable.

The string of bushfires currently raging throughout five of Australia's six states are so massive that they can be seen from space. Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield captured these detailed images on January 8 from on board the International Space Station.

The bushfires stem from the worst heatwave Australia has seen in more than 80 years, with temperatures hitting more than 47 degrees in some areas. Due to the threatening combination of high winds and extreme temperature, Australian authorities say the fires could be catastrophic.