Wildfires in Australia today
So far in 2026, 17,473,370 hectares have burned in Australia — 50% below the 20-year average. Right now 1 wildfire is burning.
17,473,370 hectares so far this year, 50% below the average. Out of the 26 countries the European system tracks, Australia ranks 16th for area burned relative to its average.
Named fires in South Australia, Australia
Detailed reports with satellite imagery and data.
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Burning right now “Contained” doesn’t mean out. It’s the share of the perimeter where crews stopped the spread. In most of Europe it isn’t published; “not held back yet” is an official 0%.
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South Australia is the driest state in the driest inhabited continent. Its cropping country, the Adelaide Hills, the Fleurieu and Eyre peninsulas and Kangaroo Island all face serious fire risk in summer, when hot northerly winds blow in from the interior.
The Country Fire Service (CFS) leads bushfire response and publishes the official warnings. This map shows every fire hotspot detected by NASA satellites in South Australia, together with the named fires we track.
Today across Australia
Three fires are still burning in Australia, covering some 950 hectares between them. The biggest by far is near Dajarra, at around 500 hectares. Eight more broke out over the past week.
It is a quiet year. Australia has lost 17,369,357 hectares so far, well below its usual 34,770,448 hectares—the 16th worst figure among the 26 countries Copernicus tracks.
Around Dajarra it is hot and dry, with a gentle wind and no rain in sight over the next 48 hours.
Updated 19 Oct
South Australia wildfire season
The Fire Danger Season generally runs from November to April, with dates set district by district, and the most dangerous conditions usually come in January and February. Harvest season adds risk in the cropping districts in late spring and early summer.
Notable wildfires in history
- 2019-20 Kangaroo Island fires
Fires burned around half of Kangaroo Island during the Black Summer, devastating its national parks and wildlife; two people died.
- 2015 Pinery fire
In November 2015 a fire north of Adelaide killed two people and destroyed 91 homes.
- 2005 Eyre Peninsula fire
The January 2005 fire on the lower Eyre Peninsula, near Wangary, killed nine people.
- 1983 Ash Wednesday
On 16 February 1983 fires killed 28 people in South Australia, many of them in the Adelaide Hills.
Main causes & risk factors
- Hot northerly winds from the arid interior
- Dry cropping country, especially around harvest
- Homes among the bush in the Adelaide Hills
- Dry lightning in remote districts
Safety & preparedness
- Check the Fire Danger Rating and the CFS warnings every day in season
- Know your district's Fire Danger Season dates and Total Fire Ban rules
- Make a bushfire survival plan and leave early on high-risk days
- Prepare your property before summer
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Frequently asked questions
When is bushfire season in South Australia?
The Fire Danger Season generally runs from November to April, with dates set by district. The most dangerous conditions usually come in January and February.
Who issues bushfire warnings in South Australia?
The Country Fire Service (CFS).
What happened on Kangaroo Island in 2019-20?
Fires burned around half of the island during the Black Summer, devastating its national parks and wildlife.
Where does this map's data come from?
Fire hotspots come from NASA's FIRMS satellites, which detect active fires several times a day.