Right now
The most recent data we hold from NASA FIRMS (VIIRS) arrived 4 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.
No stronger detection stands among the 6 recorded within 20 km of this point since 15 July 2026 — one other scored the same. Another comparable one was recorded here earlier the same day. 3 more were recorded here in the fortnight before it.
What the source measured
NASA FIRMS (VIIRS) reported 35 fire pixels with a combined fire radiative power of 1433 MW, at high confidence, 29 km from Grootfontein.
The 35 pixels cover about 4.9 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.
Urban PEI: 4,248 within a heuristic 35 km radius; not unique people.
Wind from S at 20 km/h at 03:00 UTC, according to MET Norway.
This is the highest radiative power we have recorded at this point, over 27 readings since 15 September 2026 — the previous range was 1,431 MW to 1,433 MW.
Nearby, since 15 July 2026
- September 15, 2026 · score 64 · 0.2 km
- July 15, 2026 · score 27 · 22.0 km
How we know
One source: NASA FIRMS (VIIRS). Not yet confirmed by a second, independent source.
Our own score for this event is 64 out of 100.
This is our versioned heuristic index, not source severity or a calibrated probability. Urban PEI does not count unique people.
Wind: MET Norway Locationforecast, CC BY 4.0.
Computed under scoring rules v5. Rows carrying other versions were judged by different rules and are not directly comparable.
Event Data
| Type | Wildfires |
| Severity | Critical |
| Calamity Score (ours) | 64 / 100 |
| Legacy data-support index | 0.84/1 |
| Coordinates | -19.3116, 18.1222 |
| Nearest City | Grootfontein (29 km) |
| Urban exposure index (PEI) | 4.2K within 35 km |
| Impact Tier | minor |
| Timestamp | 2026-09-14T23:31:00.000Z |
| Source | https://firms.modaps.eosdis.nasa.gov/map/#d:24hrs;@18.122,-19.312,9z |
Physical priority index · v5. Heuristic priority, not calibrated probability, predictive accuracy or damage. The legacy data-support index combines assigned source support and field availability. Urban PEI is distance-weighted and does not count unique people; zero does not establish that nobody is present. Model cards.
Source and revision timeline
Source: firms. Occurrence: 2026-09-14T23:31:00.000Z.
First archived: 2026-09-15T00:04:54.723Z. Material modification: 2026-09-15T01:51:16.822Z.
Retained revisions are prospective; earlier versions may be unavailable. No revision entry does not prove that a record never changed.
2026-09-15T01:51:16.822Z · data_change
Index 64 → 64; severity critical → critical; version 5 → 5.
Score Breakdown
Technical Details
| Brightness | 367 |
| Frp | 1432.93 |
| PixelCount | 35 |
| Confidence | high |
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.
Review the area, threshold and delivery channel in your account.
Want to know when something happens near Grootfontein?
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