Wildfire near Santa Maria
Satellite image: NASA MODIS (infrared — active fire in orange/red, from yesterday).
Heat detections: NASA FIRMS (last 48h).
Satellites are picking up an intense heat signature from an active wildfire near Santa Maria, Brazil, which has already scorched 380 hectares (939 acres) since it started on August 17, 2026. Orbiting sensors have detected 19 heat signatures over the past 48 hours, illustrating the current spread of the fire front across the landscape.
This incident unfolds during the region's typical fire season, which spans from August to October. Despite active blazes like the one near Santa Maria, the broader national picture shows a significant downturn in activity, with 2,918,264 hectares burned so far in 2026, marking a 91% decrease compared to the two-decade average.
In context
This wildfire has been burning in Brazil for less than a day. So far it has affected roughly 380 ha (939 acres) — about 3.8 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 2,918,264 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.