Yesterday's image: fire shows in orange and red. NASA MODIS
Red dots: heat detected by satellite in the last 48h. NASA FIRMS
The story so far
About 5 km east of Altamura.
Summary written on Aug 3, while the fire was still active. It has since ended — the figures above are current.
Satellites are picking up a moderate heat signature from the active wildfire burning near Altamura, Italy, where seven thermal anomalies have been detected in the past 48 hours. Having started on August 2, 2026, the fire has already consumed 130 hectares, which translates to 321 acres.
This incident unfolds during the region's typical fire season, which runs from June to October. Nationally, the wildfire adds to a broader crisis as Italy has seen 71,306 hectares burned so far in 2026, tracking 25 percent above the two-decade average.
In context
This wildfire burned in Italy for 2 days. In total it burned about 130 ha (321 acres) — around 1.3 km². That size is an estimate from satellite hotspots, not a measured area.
In the Northern Hemisphere, wildfire activity usually peaks during the warm, dry months — roughly May through October.
The bigger picture in Italy
Across Italy, roughly 117,493 hectares have burned so far in 2026 — 105% above the two-decade average. Data from Copernicus EFFIS.
Alerts near Altamura
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