Live Wildfire Tracker & Satellite Incident Map
Track active global wildfire incidents and thermal anomalies using NASA EONET satellite telemetry.
About this tool
How to use it
- Select a geographic region (North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, or Oceania) or leave set to Global.
- Choose your target status filter (Active Events, Ongoing Incidents, or Contained / Historical).
- Type a location, state, or incident name into the search box to filter results in real time.
- Click on any incident card to view exact latitude and longitude coordinates, detection timestamp, satellite sensor sources, and direct Google Maps pins.
Why it matters
Wildfires can spread rapidly across rural and populated regions. Accessing open satellite telemetry directly in the browser allows travelers, researchers, and residents to check regional fire activity without logging in or being tracked.
When to use it
Use this tracker when monitoring seasonal wildfire activity, checking air quality contexts during outdoor excursions, assessing travel routes near fire zones, or researching historical natural events.
Good to know
Incident data originates from NASA EONET (Earth Observatory Natural Event Tracker) which aggregates thermal infrared sensor data from MODIS and VIIRS satellite platforms. For official emergency evacuation directives, always consult local emergency services and forestry departments.
Common questions
How does satellite wildfire detection work?
Satellites equipped with thermal infrared sensors (such as MODIS on NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites, and VIIRS on Suomi NPP) detect ground thermal radiation spikes at 3.9 micrometers. These thermal anomalies pinpoint high-temperature combustion on the Earth's surface.
How often is the wildfire satellite data updated?
NASA EONET updates natural event records continuously as polar-orbiting satellites complete passes over regions (typically twice daily per satellite). The client interface refreshes telemetry directly whenever you search.
What is the ground resolution of satellite wildfire sensors?
VIIRS sensors provide a high spatial resolution of 375 meters per pixel, while MODIS sensors provide 1-kilometer resolution at nadir. This allows detection of small active fire fronts and agricultural burn lines.
Should I use this tool for emergency wildfire evacuation orders?
No. While satellite detection provides valuable broad-area situational awareness, local fire departments (e.g. CAL FIRE in California, InciWeb, NSW Rural Fire Service) issue real-time life safety notices and mandatory evacuation zone maps.
Is my location or search query recorded when using this tracker?
No. All searches, filters, and mapping coordinates are processed entirely inside your client browser. We never log or store your IP address, geolocation, or search queries.