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
There is no immediate danger. Stay up to date in case the situation changes.
Quick facts
- Jurisdiction
- QFD
A new wildfire has ignited near the city of Oconnell in Australia, prompting an active response from the QFD agency after starting on October 21, 2026. While the fire's immediate footprint remains limited, satellite observations over the past 48 hours have detected 1 heat signature nearby, indicating the initial spread of the incident across the landscape.
This incident unfolds during a broader national fire landscape where 17,777,340 hectares have burned so far in 2026, marking a total that is 49% below the country's two-decade average. For this region, the typical fire season spans from December to March, setting the context for ongoing monitoring as authorities manage the active situation near Oconnell.
In context
This wildfire has been burning in Australia for less than a day.
In the Southern Hemisphere the season runs the other way, peaking roughly from November through March.
The bigger picture in Australia
Across Australia, roughly 17,777,340 hectares have burned so far in 2026 — 49% below the two-decade average. Data from Copernicus GWIS.
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More fires in Australia
- Wildfire near East MackayEnded
- Wildfire near LajamanuEnded
- Wildfire near WolvertonActive
- Wildfire near Kittys YardEnded
- Wildfire near DajarraEnded
- Wildfire near Coen (Sep 16)Active