Started on Sep 19, 2026.
Australia todayLive
Yesterday's image: fire shows in orange and red. NASA MODIS
Red dots: heat detected by satellite in the last 48h. NASA FIRMS
Satellites are picking up an intense heat signature from an active wildfire burning near Archer River Roadhouse in Australia, which has already consumed 1,800 ha (4,448 acres) since it started on September 19, 2026. The fire's spread is evident in the broader landscape, with 76 heat signatures clustering nearby over the last 48 hours, highlighting the extent of the active front in this remote setting.
This incident occurs during a broader national fire landscape that runs counter to historical norms. Across the country, 15,075,205 hectares have burned so far in 2026, marking a figure that sits 57% below the two-decade average. This activity unfolds well ahead of the region's typical fire season, which traditionally spans from December to March.
In context
This wildfire has been burning in Australia for 1 day. So far it has affected roughly 1,800 ha (4,448 acres) — about 18 km².
Close to the tropics, fires tend to follow the dry season and are often linked to land-clearing rather than a single summer peak.
The bigger picture in Australia
Across Australia, roughly 15,075,205 hectares have burned so far in 2026 — 57% below the two-decade average. Data from Copernicus GWIS.
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