EndedUpdated · Source: NASA FIRMS

Wildfire near El Chañaral

Started · size estimated by satellite

Estimated size
380 hectares
from satellite heat
Lasted
3 days
from Sep 16, 2026
Wildfire near El Chañaral — Sentinel-2 true color Wildfire near El Chañaral — Sentinel-2 SWIR (fuego) True view Fire view
⟷
True view (left): as the eye sees it.
Fire view (right): infrared (SWIR), sees through smoke and brings out the heat.

🟢 green = vegetation
🟤 brown = already burned
🟠 orange = fire right now

Drag to compare: normal photo on the left, heat brought out on the right.

Green: vegetationBrown: already burnedOrange: fire right nowSentinel-2 · Copernicus

The story so far

Summary written on Sep 17, while the fire was still active. It has since ended — the figures above are current.

Satellites are picking up an intense heat signature alongside 19 thermal detections over the past 48 hours around El Chañaral, Argentina, where a 450-hectare (1,112-acre) wildfire has now ended after starting on September 16, 2026.

This event unfolds against a broader national backdrop where 826,559 hectares have burned so far in 2026, marking an 80% decrease below the two-decade average, contrasting with the region's typical fire season which spans from December to March.

In context

This wildfire burned in Argentina for 2 days. In total it burned about 380 ha (939 acres) — around 3.8 km². That size is an estimate from satellite hotspots, not a measured area.

In the Southern Hemisphere the season runs the other way, peaking roughly from November through March.

The bigger picture in Argentina

Across Argentina, roughly 1,049,985 hectares have burned so far in 2026 — 74% below the two-decade average. Data from Copernicus GWIS.

Alerts near El Chañaral

This fire is over. We'll email you if satellites detect new fire in this area. Free, no account.

Get alerts
Argentina today7 days
1Fires · 7d447Hotspots 48h300Hectares · 7d
Last 7 days · risingHow many named wildfires were burning on each of the last 7 days. It rises when there are more than on the earlier days.
All Argentina wildfires

Community reports

Reports from people near the fire · unverified

＋ Add info/photo
No reports yet. Nearby? Be the first to report.

Be the first to report what is happening →

Not official emergency information. In an emergency, contact fire services/authorities.

More fires in Argentina

See all
Jefferson 315 FireEnded · 200 acres Pine Tree Rd FireEnded · 2,328 acres Bunker FireEnded · 2,851 acres Wildfire near Añatuya (Oct 29)Ended · about 300 hectares (estimated) Wildfire near QuimilíEnded · about 300 hectares (estimated) Wildfire near Nueva EsperanzaEnded · about 450 hectares (estimated)