South Africa Wildfires Map
Real-time satellite monitoring
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Active fires
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Wildfire statistics · South Africa
In 2026, 1,121,985 hectares have burned in South Africa — 66% below the 20-year average.
Burnt area per year-66% ▼
2012peak 2013: 4.3M ha2026
average 3,295,342 ha (2012–2025)
3,227 fires in 2026 · avg 8,183
17th of 26 countries with the most area burned above their average
GWIS · Copernicus
Satellite activity · FIRMS
908heat detections · 24h
55% high intensity34% moderate
About wildfires in South Africa
South Africa experiences significant fire activity, particularly in the fynbos biome of the Western Cape, the grasslands of KwaZulu-Natal, and the forested areas of Mpumalanga. The country's fire season varies by region, with the Western Cape experiencing winter fires (December-March) and the eastern regions seeing fires during winter dry season (June-September).
The 2017 Knysna fires in the Western Cape were among the most destructive in South African history. Urban-wildland interface fires threaten informal settlements and suburban communities across the country.
This tracker monitors all fire hotspots across South Africa's nine provinces in real-time.