Wildfires in the USA now
Live map of possible wildfires in the USA, as detected by satellites over the last hours. Today's fire danger comes from the EU's Copernicus service.
The map shows areas of about 10 × 10 km where satellites measured heat that probably comes from vegetation. These are not confirmed fires, and the data is up to about 3 hours behind.
The fire season in the USA
Wildfires are most common in the western United States and Florida, especially during droughts. They are started by lightning or by people, for example by cigarettes, power lines or cars.
Known large fires in the USA
- Alaska fire season of 2004 (2004): 26,700 km²
- California fire season of 2020 (2020): 17,797 km²
- Texas wildfires of 2011 (2011): 16,235 km²
- Great Fire of 1910 (“Big Burn”) (1910): 12,100 km²
- Taylor Complex (2004): 5,275 km²
- Peshtigo fire (1871): 4,900 km²
- Smokehouse Creek fire (2024): 4,284 km²
- August Complex (2020): 4,179 km²
Are you in the USA?
If you see fire or smoke that could threaten lives or homes, call 911. Always follow advice from the local authorities and your travel company. The map is not a warning system.