SatMeteo's active fire map is a free, interactive wildfire tracker that shows where fires are burning around the world right now. It combines satellite fire detection with a clear global view so you can monitor wildfires, forest fires, bushfires and grassland burns as they develop.

Whether you are tracking smoke transport, checking fire activity near national parks, comparing regional fire intensity, or following seasonal peaks during drought and heatwaves, this live wildfire map gives you a practical satellite perspective for the latest detections.

What the map shows

The map displays active fire hotspots on a satellite basemap using Copernicus EFFIS data — the same European Forest Fire Information System layer used by global fire viewers. Detections combine MODIS and VIIRS sensors from the last 24 hours.

Satellite fire data

Detections are based on thermal sensors aboard polar-orbiting satellites that scan the Earth's surface multiple times per day. Information is typically available within hours of overpass — one of the most practical ways to follow large-scale fire activity before official reports are published.

Zoom from a world overview down to regional detail to inspect fire clusters in the Mediterranean, North America, South America, sub-Saharan Africa, South-East Asia, Australia and other active fire zones. The built-in legend explains hotspot confidence levels so detections stay readable at every zoom level.

How to use this wildfire map

Open the map and pan to your region of interest. Hotspot markers indicate active detections from the last 24 hours. Use the zoom controls to move between continental patterns and local clusters. Compare neighbouring countries during cross-border fire events, or check whether new detections are appearing as fresh satellite overpasses arrive.

This tool is designed for awareness and situational monitoring. It complements — but does not replace — official warnings from national fire authorities, civil protection agencies and local emergency services.

Interpreting fire detections

Satellite fire maps are powerful, but they have limits. Keep the following in mind when reading the data:

• Hotspot positions reflect sensor resolution and are approximate, not exact ground coordinates.
• Small fires, fires hidden by thick cloud or heavy smoke, and fires under dense forest canopy may be missed.
• Not every hotspot is a wildfire — industrial heat sources, volcanic activity and other thermal anomalies can occasionally appear.
• For evacuation orders, road closures and emergency guidance, always follow your national fire authority.

SatMeteo provides the satellite view. Ground-level firefighting decisions belong to the agencies responsible for public safety in each country.