Active Fire Map: Real-Time Wildfire Hotspots
Monitor active fires worldwide with NASA FIRMS thermal detection data. VIIRS 375m and MODIS 1km resolution, updated daily. No API key needed.
TL;DR: NASA FIRMS detects active fires using thermal sensors on VIIRS (375m, ~12h latency, 3 satellites) and MODIS (1km, ~1-2 day latency, 2 satellites). Off-Nadir Delta displays fire hotspots as a map overlay via NASA GIBS WMS — free, no API key, no token cost. Combine with Sentinel-2 optical or SAR imagery for complete fire assessment.
5 Satellites
VIIRS on Suomi NPP, NOAA-20, NOAA-21 plus MODIS on Terra and Aqua for near-continuous global coverage.
Near Real-Time
VIIRS fire detections available within ~12 hours of satellite overpass. Track active wildfires as they develop.
No API Key Required
Displayed via NASA GIBS WMS. No authentication, no token cost, no usage limits. Completely free.
Sensor Specifications
Available Sensors
VIIRS (Recommended)
375m I-band resolution. Available on S-NPP (2012+), NOAA-20 (2018+), and NOAA-21 (2023+). Best for detecting smaller fires and recent events.
MODIS (Long-Term Record)
1km resolution from Terra (2000+) and Aqua (2002+). Longest continuous fire record available. Note: ~2-day processing delay for recent dates.
Applications
Wildfire Tracking
Monitor active fire fronts and track daily progression of wildfire events
Deforestation Fires
Detect illegal burning and agricultural fires in tropical forests
Disaster Response
Support evacuation planning and resource allocation during fire emergencies
Insurance & Risk
Assess fire risk exposure and validate wildfire damage claims
Data Sources & Attribution
NASA FIRMS
Fire Information for Resource Management System
Displayed via NASA GIBS (Global Imagery Browse Services) WMS
Citation
"NASA FIRMS VIIRS / MODIS Active Fire Detections"
License: NASA Open Data Policy (free for all uses)
How It Works
Open Data Layers
Click the Data Layers panel and select the Active Fires tab.
Choose Sensor & Date
Select VIIRS (375m) or MODIS (1km) and pick a date.
Add Fire Layer
Fire hotspots appear as colored dots on the map. Red = high confidence.
Combine with Imagery
Overlay on Sentinel-2 or SAR imagery to assess burn area and impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is NASA FIRMS?▼
What is the difference between VIIRS and MODIS?▼
Do I need an API key?▼
How often is fire data updated?▼
What do the confidence levels mean?▼
Can I view historical fire data?▼
Monitor Active Fires Now
View real-time fire hotspots on satellite imagery. Free account, no API key required.