Australia Wildfires Map
Australia Wildfires Map tracks live active wildfires, satellite thermal hotspots, and smoke dispersion across Australia in real time. Monitor verified incident perimeters, containment status, and weather-driven spread risk updated continuously using authoritative satellite radiometry from NASA FIRMS (VIIRS 375m & MODIS) and Copernicus EFFIS.
Loading Satellite Wildfire Telemetry...
Streaming active thermal detections from NASA FIRMS VIIRS & MODIS and Copernicus EFFIS.
Wildfires in Australia today
So far in 2026, 840,000 hectares have burned in Australia — 115% above the 20-year average.
HOW MUCH BURNS IN AUSTRALIA EACH YEAR
+115% ▲840,000 hectares so far this year, 115% above the average. Out of the 26 countries the European system tracks, Australia is the 2nd furthest above its own average.
EFFIS Copernicus · data as of 1 OctIn 2026, Australia has tracked over 840,000 hectares burned across dry sclerophyll forests, savanna grasslands, and semi-arid scrublands.
State agencies including the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS), CFA Victoria, and Queensland Rural Fire Service coordinate real-time satellite intelligence and aerial water bombing operations.
Named fires in Australia
Detailed tactical reports with satellite radiometry, burned hectares, and suppression containment status.
| Incident / Sector | Status | Burned Footprint | Containment | Thermal FRP | Satellite Radiometer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pilliga Forest BushfireNarrabri Region · New South Wales • Jan 14 Massive inland scrub fire generating pyrocumulonimbus clouds and high-intensity ember spotting. | Active | 135,000 hectares333,000 acres | 58% Contained | 540 MW | NOAA-20 VIIRS |
| East Gippsland ComplexGippsland · Victoria • Feb 02 Mountain eucalyptus forest incident being suppressed by heavy air tankers and remote wilderness crews. | Being Held | 48,000 hectares118,000 acres | 82% Contained | 110 MW | MODIS Aqua |
In Australia, bushfire emergency management is governed by state-based services (NSW RFS, CFA Victoria, QFES, Parks and Wildlife) using the Australian Warning System (Advice, Watch & Act, Emergency Warning).
About wildfires in Australia
Australia's fire landscape is dominated by flammable eucalyptus ecosystems. Eucalyptus leaves contain volatile aromatic terpene oils that vaporize in extreme heat, creating explosive firestorms and spotting miles ahead of flame fronts.
The Forest Fire Danger Index (FFDI) models surface temperature, relative humidity, 10m wind speed, and fuel drought factors to forecast Catastrophic bushfire weather.
National Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC)
Fleet of over 150 specialized aircraft including Large Air Tankers (LATs), Elvis Skycranes, and spotters.
Australian Warning System (AWS)
Standardized three-tier emergency alerting: Advice (Yellow), Watch and Act (Orange), Emergency Warning (Red).
Volunteer Fire Brigades
Over 200,000 highly trained volunteer firefighters across NSW RFS, CFA Victoria, and state rural brigades.
Today's situation
Severe to Extreme Fire Danger ratings are active across parts of New South Wales and Victoria with hot, gusty northwesterly winds and low relative humidity.
Australia wildfire season
Australia's bushfire seasonality varies dramatically: northern tropical savannas burn during the winter dry season, while southeastern forests peak during the summer heatwaves of December to February.
Notable wildfires in history
Black Summer Bushfires
Eastern & Southern AustraliaBlack Saturday Disasters
VictoriaMain causes & risk factors
Eucalyptus Oil Volatility & Extreme Spotting
Burning bark strips (ribbon bark) loft into thermal updrafts and travel up to 30 kilometers downwind, igniting new fires ahead of containment lines.
Dry Lightning Storms & Sudden Wind Changes
Convective storm cells with zero ground precipitation ignite dozens of remote blazes, followed by severe southwesterly wind changes that blow flank fires into massive head fires.
Safety & preparedness
Call Triple Zero (000) for Immediate Fire Threats
000 is Australia's primary emergency call service for police, fire, or ambulance assistance.
Know Your Bush Fire Survival Plan
Never assume a fire truck will be outside your home; prepare early and evacuate at the Advice or Watch & Act stage.
Australia Emergency Hotline: 000
Direct connection to Triple Zero (000) national emergency services dispatch.
Frequently asked questions
Key facts about satellite radiometry, fire seasons, and safety preparedness in Australia.