Wildfire near Cabeceira Velha (Aug 15)
Satellite image: NASA MODIS (infrared — active fire in orange/red, from yesterday).
Heat detections: NASA FIRMS (last 48h).
An active wildfire is currently burning near Cabeceira Velha, Brazil, having scorched 480 hectares (1,186 acres) since it began on August 15, 2026. Satellites are picking up an intense heat signature from the active fire front, accompanied by 30 heat detections clustered nearby over the past 48 hours.
This incident occurs during the region's typical fire season, which runs from August to October. Despite active fires in the area, the broader national context shows that 2,684,309 hectares have burned so far in 2026, tracking 91% below the two-decade average.
In context
This wildfire has been burning in Brazil for less than a day. So far it has affected roughly 480 ha (1,186 acres) — about 4.8 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 Brazil
Across Brazil, roughly 2,684,309 hectares have burned so far in 2026 — 91% below the two-decade average. Data from Copernicus GWIS.
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Community reports
Reports from people near the fire · unverified
Not official emergency information. In an emergency, contact fire services/authorities.