Wildfire near Santa Cruz do Arari (Oct 30), Brazil (2026)

Wildfire near Santa Cruz do Arari (Oct 30) — NASA satellite

Yesterday's image: fire shows in orange and red. NASA MODIS

The story so far

About 15 km east of Santa Cruz do Arari.

Satellites are picking up an intense heat signature from an active wildfire burning near Santa Cruz do Arari, Brazil, which has been tracked since October 30, 2026. Within the past forty-eight hours, sensors have detected 12 heat signatures clustering nearby, pointing to the ongoing spread of the front across the area.

Based on the number of satellite hotspots, the fire is roughly estimated at 300 hectares, which is equivalent to 741 acres. This incident unfolds during the region's typical fire season, which runs from August to October.

Broader wildfire activity across the country shows that 11,416,579 hectares have burned so far in 2026, marking a figure that is 63% below the two-decade average.

In context

This wildfire has been burning in Brazil for 1 day. So far it has affected roughly 300 ha (741 acres) — about 3.0 km². That size is an estimate from satellite hotspots, not a measured area.

Close to the tropics, fires tend to follow the dry season and are often linked to land-clearing rather than a single summer peak.