Live satellite hotspots · source: NASA FIRMS
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Germany's wildfire risk is concentrated less in the south and more in the sandy pine forests of the east. Brandenburg and Saxony see the country's largest fires, fuelled by dry summers, extensive conifer plantations and, in places, unexploded munitions left over from military use that make firefighting from the ground dangerous. Fires here can smoulder for days once they take hold, and access roads are often closed for safety while crews work from a distance or from the air.
This map plots every satellite heat detection across Germany, from the Eifel and Black Forest to the Lüneburg Heath and the Polish border. Travellers heading to campsites or hiking trails in these regions can check conditions before setting off, and the search box lets you zoom straight to a specific town so you can see whether anything has been detected nearby in the past day.
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.
Brandenburg and Saxony
Vast pine monocultures on sandy soil, low rainfall and former military ranges around Jüterbog, Lübtheen and Lieberose combine to produce Germany's largest wildfires, sometimes spreading across hundreds of hectares before crews can contain them.
The Eifel and Rhineland
Coniferous woodland and dry slopes near the Belgian border occasionally see fire spread across the frontier from the Hautes Fagnes. Villages around Gey and Düren have been evacuated as a precaution in past dry spells.
Black Forest, Harz and Lüneburg Heath
Storm damage and bark-beetle infestations have left large amounts of dead wood in these forests, which burns fast and hot, particularly on south-facing slopes in the Harz uplands during prolonged dry weather.
Are there wildfires in Germany right now?
This map shows every heat detection recorded by satellite over Germany in the past 18 hours. If you see no dots, nothing significant has been picked up in that window. Press Live refresh to pull in the latest satellite pass immediately.
When is the German wildfire season worst?
Risk peaks from June to August, though sandy eastern regions such as Brandenburg can also burn in spring after a dry winter. The Deutscher Wetterdienst publishes a daily danger index from 1 to 5 for each district; watch for levels 4 and 5.
What should I do if a fire is near my campsite?
Call 112 immediately, follow instructions from campsite staff, and check the NINA or KATWARN warning apps for your area. Never drive towards smoke, and keep access roads clear so fire engines can pass.
Are campfires and barbecues allowed in German forests?
No. Open fires and smoking are banned in German woodland from 1 March to 31 October, including on car parks and forest tracks. Barbecuing is only permitted at official, purpose-built fire pits.
What is the emergency number in Germany?
Dial 112 for fire, ambulance or any life-threatening emergency anywhere in Germany. It works from any phone, including without a local SIM card, and operators generally speak English as well as German.
How does this map relate to the full Europe map?
This page is zoomed to Germany for a clearer view of local hotspots, but it uses the same NASA FIRMS satellite data as our main European map. Use the country selector to switch to neighbouring regions or the continent-wide view at any time.
How do I see if a wildfire is close to my campsite or holiday address in Germany?
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.