Right now
The most recent data we hold from NASA FIRMS (VIIRS) arrived 18 minutes ago, and this point is not in it. We record detections, not passes: an absence is not proof that nothing is there.
Nothing else has been detected within 20 km in the last 24 hours.
Recorded by satellite 52 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 5th strongest of the 27 detections recorded within 20 km of this point since 9 June 2026. The last comparable one was on 16 July 2026. 6 more were recorded here in the fortnight before it.
What the source measured
NASA FIRMS (VIIRS) reported 39 fire pixels with a combined fire radiative power of 321 MW, at high confidence, 63 km from Mafikeng.
The 39 pixels cover about 5.5 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.
Wind from NE at 17 km/h at 18:00 UTC, according to MET Norway.
Nearby, since 9 June 2026
- July 24, 2026 · score 41 · 1.6 km
- June 9, 2026 · score 27 · 1.9 km
- June 10, 2026 · score 27 · 2.1 km
How we know
One source: NASA FIRMS (VIIRS). Not yet confirmed by a second, independent source.
Our own score for this event is 40 out of 100, at 64 % 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 v1. Rows carrying other versions were judged by different rules and are not directly comparable.
Event Data
| Type | Wildfires |
| Severity | High |
| Calamity Score (ours) | 40 / 100 |
| Our confidence | 64% |
| Coordinates | -26.2971, 25.2259 |
| Nearest City | Mafikeng (63 km) |
| Impact Tier | minor |
| Timestamp | 2026-07-23T12:12:00.000Z |
| Source | https://firms.modaps.eosdis.nasa.gov/map/#d:24hrs;@25.226,-26.297,9z |
Score Breakdown
Technical Details
| Brightness | 367 |
| Frp | 320.99 |
| PixelCount | 39 |
| 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.
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