Live satellite hotspots · source: NASA FIRMS
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The Alentejo is the wide, dry interior between Lisbon and the Algarve. Its landscape of cork oak pasture (montado), grain fields and isolated farms burns differently from the mountains further north: fire moves mainly through dry grass and stubble, fast and across large areas. On the coast around Odemira and the Costa Vicentina the scrub and pine are denser.
This map plots every satellite detection between Setúbal, the Spanish border at Portalegre and the northern edge of the Algarve. Around Évora and Beja many detections are stubble burning, so weak, isolated dots are flagged as likely false positives.
Hotspots come from the VIIRS instruments on NASA FIRMS satellites (NOAA-20, NOAA-21 and Suomi NPP) and are cross-checked against Copernicus EFFIS. A hotspot is a heat detection, not a confirmed fire: industrial sites, solar farms and permanent burners are filtered out automatically.
Serra de São Mamede and Portalegre
Wooded uplands on the Spanish border near Marvão and Castelo de Vide, with chestnut, cork oak and pine. The most fire-prone part of the Alentejo, where fires can cross the border.
The coast at Odemira and the Costa Vicentina
Pine, eucalyptus and scrub behind the beaches of Zambujeira do Mar and Vila Nova de Milfontes. Campsites and holiday homes back straight onto the vegetation.
Montado and grain plains around Évora and Beja
Cork oak pasture and harvested fields where fire runs quickly across flat ground on a northerly wind. Fires are often large in area but shorter-lived and easier to reach than in the mountains.
Are there wildfires in the Alentejo right now?
The map shows every heat detection from the past 18 hours over the Alentejo. Press Live refresh for the latest satellite pass.
Is the Alentejo coast safe during the fire season?
Usually yes. The beaches are open ground, but campsites and homes in the pine woods near Odemira and Milfontes can be evacuated during a fire. Expect smoke and temporary road closures inland.
Why do I see so many isolated dots with no fire in the news?
Farmers here burn a lot of stubble and green waste. Those detections are not wildfires; weak, isolated ones are flagged as likely false positives. A cluster of dots points to a real fire.
When is the risk highest?
July to mid-September, peaking in heatwaves above 40°C. The Alentejo is the hottest region of Portugal.
What is banned during the fire season?
Barbecues outside official facilities, fireworks, burning green waste and using forestry machinery in the hottest hours. At risk level máximo forest areas close to visitors.
Where can I see all of Portugal?
On the Portugal map. Use the Algarve map for the south coast and the central Portugal map for the north.
How do I see if a wildfire is close to my campsite or holiday address in the Alentejo?
Use the location finder on this map: type your destination, village or campsite name, or tap "Use my location". The map instantly shows the distance in kilometres to the nearest active hotspot, and you can switch on alerts for fires within 5 to 100 km. Every search gets its own link, so you can share the situation around your own address with family or fellow travellers.