Right now
The most recent data we hold from NASA FIRMS (VIIRS) arrived 47 minutes ago, and this point is in it.
4 other detections within 20 km in the last 24 hours, the nearest <1 km from here.
Recorded by satellite today.
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 29th strongest of the 214 detections recorded within 20 km of this point since 10 March 2026. Another comparable one was recorded here earlier the same day.
What the source measured
NASA FIRMS (VIIRS) reported 56 fire pixels with a combined fire radiative power of 74 MW, at nominal confidence, 7 km from Hwange.
The 56 pixels cover about 7.8 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 34,553 people live within 50 km of this point.
Wind from ESE at 22 km/h at 03:00 UTC, according to MET Norway.
Nearby, since 10 March 2026
- September 7, 2026 · score 30 · 1.8 km
- July 11, 2026 · score 30 · 1.9 km
- July 10, 2026 · score 30 · 2.4 km
How we know
One source: NASA FIRMS (VIIRS). Not yet confirmed by a second, independent source.
Our own score for this event is 44 out of 100, at 84 % 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) | 44 / 100 |
| Our confidence | 84% |
| Coordinates | -18.4110, 26.5308 |
| Nearest City | Hwange (7 km) |
| Population Exposed | 34.6K within 50 km |
| Impact Tier | significant |
| Timestamp | 2026-09-08T23:44:00.000Z |
| Source | https://firms.modaps.eosdis.nasa.gov/map/#d:24hrs;@26.531,-18.411,9z |
Score Breakdown
Technical Details
| Brightness | 343.97 |
| Frp | 73.71 |
| PixelCount | 56 |
| Confidence | nominal |
Cascade Risks
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 near Hwange?
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