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 Tasmania, 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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Tasmania is cooler and wetter than mainland Australia, but it has a long history of destructive bushfires. Dry lightning can ignite remote fires in the wilderness of the west and the Central Highlands, while the east and south-east, around Hobart, face fast-moving fires on hot, windy days.
The Tasmania Fire Service leads bushfire response and official warnings are published on TasALERT. This map shows every fire hotspot detected by NASA satellites in Tasmania, 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
Tasmania wildfire season
Tasmania's bushfire season usually runs from December to March. A Fire Permit Period is declared each year when conditions dry out, and the most dangerous days bring hot north-westerly winds ahead of a cold front.
Fires in the World Heritage wilderness threaten plants such as pencil pines and cushion plants, which evolved without regular fire and do not recover once burned.
Notable wildfires in history
- 2019 Summer 2019 fires
Lightning-started fires in January and February 2019 burned around 200,000 hectares, much of it in the Central Highlands and the World Heritage Area.
- 2016 World Heritage Area fires
Dry lightning in January 2016 started dozens of fires in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, burning ancient pencil pine and cushion plant communities.
- 2013 Dunalley fire
In January 2013 a fire destroyed much of the town of Dunalley and forced the evacuation of the Tasman Peninsula.
- 1967 Black Tuesday
On 7 February 1967 fires around Hobart and the south-east killed 62 people and destroyed about 1,300 homes.
Main causes & risk factors
- Hot north-westerly winds ahead of cold fronts
- Dry lightning in remote wilderness
- Warmer, drier summers that dry out normally damp forests
- Homes among the bush around Hobart and the south-east
Safety & preparedness
- Check the Fire Danger Rating and TasALERT warnings every day in summer
- Know whether a Fire Permit Period or a Total Fire Ban is in force
- Make a bushfire survival plan and leave early when threatened
- Prepare your property before summer
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Frequently asked questions
When is bushfire season in Tasmania?
Usually from December to March, with the most dangerous days bringing hot north-westerly winds ahead of a cold front.
Where are official bushfire warnings for Tasmania published?
On TasALERT, the state's official emergency website, with information from the Tasmania Fire Service.
What was Black Tuesday?
On 7 February 1967 fires around Hobart and the south-east killed 62 people and destroyed about 1,300 homes.
Where does this map's data come from?
Fire hotspots come from NASA's FIRMS satellites, which detect active fires several times a day.