Live satellite hotspots · source: NASA FIRMS
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The Canary Islands have a distinct wildfire profile: steep volcanic slopes, Canary pine forests that reach above 2,000 metres, and calima, a hot, dust-laden wind from the Sahara that can push humidity down and temperatures up within hours. Fires here tend to run uphill through ravines known as barrancos, often becoming inaccessible from the ground, so suppression relies heavily on water-bombing aircraft and helicopters.
This map plots every satellite heat detection across the archipelago, from El Hierro to Lanzarote. The best-known risk areas lie on Tenerife's northern slopes above La Orotava and Santa Úrsula, in the highlands of Gran Canaria, and on La Palma, where a major fire in 2023 forced thousands of residents from their homes.
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.
Tenerife: northern slopes and Corona Forestal
The largest nature park in the Canary Islands wraps around Mount Teide like a belt. Fires above La Orotava, Candelaria and Arafo threaten villages that are built within the forest itself.
Gran Canaria: Tejeda, Artenara and Valleseco
The mountainous centre of the island combines pine forest with terraced farmland. Southerly winds and calima can push temperatures above 38°C, allowing a fire to spread across thousands of hectares within hours.
La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro
Dense pine and laurel forest on steep slopes with narrow access roads makes firefighting difficult. Evacuations tend to proceed village by village, since coastal escape routes are limited in number.
Is there a wildfire in the Canary Islands right now?
This map shows every hotspot detected over the archipelago in the past 18 hours. Click Live refresh to fetch the most recent satellite pass immediately.
Is the fire season here the same as on mainland Spain?
Risk lasts longer. The subtropical climate means fires can also occur in spring and early autumn, with the sharpest peak in July, August and September during episodes of calima wind from the Sahara.
What should I do if a fire is near my hotel or campsite?
Call 112 straight away, follow instructions from staff or local authorities, and avoid driving through smoke on mountain roads. Check the cabildo (island council) website for closures before heading into national parks.
Are barbecues and open fires allowed?
At the highest alert level, nature parks and popular trails close, including parts of Teide and the Caldera de Taburiente. Open fires and barbecues outside approved areas are banned across the islands during the fire season.
What is the emergency number in the Canary Islands?
Dial 112 for any emergency; the regional service is known as 112 Canarias. English-speaking operators are generally available, and the same number covers fire, medical and police emergencies.
How does this map relate to the full Spain map?
This page zooms into the archipelago using the same live NASA FIRMS data as our main Spain map. Use the region links to check the Balearics or mainland Spain, or return to the whole-country view at any time.
How do I see if a wildfire is close to my campsite or holiday address in the Canary Islands?
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.