Right now
The most recent data we hold from NASA FIRMS (VIIRS) arrived 1 minute ago, and this point is not in it. We record detections, not passes: an absence is not proof that nothing is there.
One other detection within 20 km in the last 24 hours, 12 km from here.
Recorded by satellite 6 days ago.
A thermal anomaly is a snapshot of one satellite pass, not a record of a fire’s life: we cannot say whether it kept burning after that pass.
It is the 14th strongest of the 60 detections recorded within 20 km of this point since 27 August 2026. Another comparable one was recorded here earlier the same day.
What the source measured
NASA FIRMS (VIIRS) reported 1,138 fire pixels with a combined fire radiative power of 12804 MW, at high confidence, 32 km from Iapala.
The 1,138 pixels cover about 159.3 km² — that is the footprint of the detection grid at 375 m resolution, not an estimate of how much land burned.
FIRMS does not report burned area, and neither do we.
An estimated 11,180 people live within 50 km of this point.
Wind from ESE at 15 km/h at 14:00 UTC, according to MET Norway.
This is the highest radiative power we have recorded at this point, over 139 readings since 5 September 2026 — the previous range was 12,790 MW to 12,804 MW.
Nearby, since 27 August 2026
- September 10, 2026 · score 64 · 4.5 km
- September 3, 2026 · score 55 · 6.2 km
- September 9, 2026 · score 58 · 6.3 km
How we know
One source: NASA FIRMS (VIIRS). Not yet confirmed by a second, independent source.
Our own score for this event is 55 out of 100, at 74 % confidence.
The score is ours, computed from intensity, exposed population and local history — not the source’s.
Wind: MET Norway Locationforecast, CC BY 4.0.
Computed under scoring rules v4. Rows carrying other versions were judged by different rules and are not directly comparable.
Event Data
| Type | Wildfires |
| Severity | Critical |
| Calamity Score (ours) | 55 / 100 |
| Our confidence | 74% |
| Coordinates | -15.2919, 38.1490 |
| Nearest City | Iapala (32 km) |
| Population Exposed | 11.2K within 50 km |
| Impact Tier | significant |
| Timestamp | 2026-09-04T23:18:00.000Z |
| Source | https://firms.modaps.eosdis.nasa.gov/map/#d:24hrs;@38.149,-15.292,9z |
Score Breakdown
Technical Details
| Brightness | 367 |
| Frp | 12804.08 |
| PixelCount | 1138 |
| Confidence | high |
Safety Information
If a wildfire is approaching: follow evacuation orders immediately. Do not wait to see the fire. Close all windows and doors, remove combustible materials from around your home, and have an emergency go-bag ready. Air quality can deteriorate rapidly even at distance from the fire front — monitor local air quality advisories.
Series begins 8 March 2026. Comparisons refer to that period only. Collection gap: 14-26 August 2026.
This data is aggregated algorithmically from scientific sources. Not a replacement for official emergency warnings.
Want to know when something happens in this area?
In the news nearby
A list of links found by GDELT for this place and this hazard in the last seven days. External, not ours: we have not read them and do not vouch for them.
No news is listed: GDELT was not available when this page was rendered.
GDELT Project · gdeltproject.org