Frequently asked questions about wildfires

Right now Watch Fire sees 107,558 fires in 96 countries, 627 of which were still active in the past few hours. The ten countries with the most fires are listed below.

The fire with the strongest heat signal is currently near Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. Only the local authorities can confirm whether it is a wildfire and how large it is. The map shows the current situation around this fire.

Brazil currently has the most active fires (416), including near Pará, Amazonas, Maranhão, Tocantins.

Watch Fire is a free, independent live map of wildfires around the world. It shows where fires are burning now, what is at stake nearby and what to expect in the coming hours. Watch Fire Magazine adds background articles.

Yes. The map, the alerts and the articles are free, with no account and no advertising. Anyone who wishes can support Watch Fire voluntarily.

The map is updated continuously with the latest NASA satellite data and official reports. A satellite passes over an area a few times a day, so a new fire usually appears on the map within a few hours.

Every flame is a place where satellites have seen heat.

• The bigger the flame, the hotter the fire.
• A number means several fires close together.
• A coloured ring shows the risk: orange, red or dark red.
• After clicking a fire, you see in which direction it is likely to spread in the coming hours.

The legend on the map explains every symbol.

Not always. A satellite sees heat, not flames. Most of the time it is a fire in nature or farmland, but it can also be another heat source. A fire is only confirmed when the fire service or the authorities report it; where such an official report exists, you see it on the map.

There can be several reasons:

• The satellite has not passed over the area yet.
• Clouds or smoke block the view.
• The fire is too small or already out.

Small fires, such as a house fire, usually cannot be seen from space. Know of a fire that is missing? You can share a photo or report through the map.

Click a fire on the map and choose to follow it. You then get a notification on your phone or computer when the fire grows, comes closer to a place or appears to be out. No account is needed.

Yes. Set up an email alert from the map menu, enter a place and a distance, and you receive an email as soon as a wildfire is seen there. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Yes. Click the fire and choose to add a photo or video. Every submission is checked before it becomes visible. This helps others see what is happening on the ground.

Watch Fire is available in English, Dutch, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Turkish and Greek.

Yes, that is possible. We are glad to work with governments, municipalities, emergency services, nature and environmental organisations, insurers, energy and infrastructure companies, the travel and tourism sector, research institutions and education. Get in touch and we will discuss what fits.

Yes, that is possible. A sponsorship supports independent, free wildfire information and gives your organisation appropriate, transparent visibility. Sponsorship never influences the information on the map. Get in touch for the options.

Yes, that is possible, for example for news sites, municipalities, nature organisations, campsites, holiday parks and schools. Get in touch and we will discuss the options.

Yes, that is possible. Our press page has a text to quote, images and the correct credit. For interviews, background or a collaboration, you can contact us directly.

Yes, that is possible. For research, teaching material or a project on wildfires and climate, we are happy to help. Get in touch.

Always follow the instructions of the fire service and the authorities.

• Call the emergency number (112 in Europe, 911 in North America) if you are in immediate danger.
• Leave when you are asked to, and do not wait.
• Watch out for smoke: stay indoors with windows and doors closed when the air is bad.

Watch Fire gives a picture of the situation but is not an official warning service.

Most wildfires are started by people: careless use of fire, discarded cigarettes, work activities or arson. A smaller share is caused by lightning. Drought, heat and strong wind let a fire spread quickly.

A pyrocumulus is a heap cloud that forms above an intense fire. The fire's heat drives air, smoke and water vapour rapidly upwards; high in the sky it cools and a cloud forms. Because of the smoke, such a cloud is often grey or brownish instead of white. A fire cloud is a sign that the fire is releasing a lot of energy. Its official name is cumulus flammagenitus.

A pyrocumulonimbus is a fire cloud that has grown into a thundercloud, sometimes more than 10 kilometres high. Such a cloud can:

• Produce lightning, which can start new fires elsewhere.
• Cause sudden, strong gusts of wind in every direction, making the fire unpredictable.
• Carry smoke to great heights, from where it spreads over thousands of kilometres.
• Draw fresh air in towards the fire at ground level, like bellows: the fire gets more oxygen and burns more fiercely.

It usually produces little or no rain. A fire thunderstorm points to a very intense, dangerous fire: always follow the instructions of the fire service and the authorities. Its official name is cumulonimbus flammagenitus.

It depends on where you are: the season follows each area's dry period. Climate change is making the season longer in many areas.