Live satellite hotspots · source: NASA FIRMS
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Italy's wildfire risk is concentrated in the south and on the islands, where hot, dry summers and steep, scrub-covered terrain combine to spread fire quickly once it starts. Sicily and Sardinia see the heaviest activity, but Calabria, Puglia and the hills behind the Tuscan and Ligurian coasts also burn most years, usually between June and September. Strong winds such as the sirocco can turn a small ignition into a fast-moving front within hours, which is why local authorities frequently close hiking trails and nature reserves during heatwaves.
This map plots every satellite-detected hotspot across the Italian mainland and its islands, updating automatically so you can see at a glance whether anything is burning near your route or accommodation. Search a town or use your current location to centre the map, and switch on the live refresh if you want the very latest satellite pass rather than the cached snapshot. Each marker shows the detection time and distance, helping you judge quickly whether a fire is actually relevant to your plans.
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.
Sicily
Sicily's interior and the slopes around Etna and the Nebrodi and Madonie mountains dry out fast in midsummer, and fires here can spread towards coastal resorts such as Taormina and Cefalù. Strong onshore winds make containment difficult once vegetation fires reach the coastal pine belts.
Sardinia
The Sardinian interior, especially around Nuoro, Oristano and the Gallura hills behind the Costa Smeralda, has some of Italy's highest fire frequency thanks to dense macchia scrub and a long dry season. Coastal towns are usually safe but nearby nature reserves close during red-alert days.
Calabria and the Ionian coast
The Sila and Aspromonte forests and the hills above the Ionian coast see frequent summer fires driven by dry heat and abandoned agricultural land. Campsites and rural agriturismi in these areas should be checked against this map before booking a summer stay.
Are there wildfires in Italy right now?
This map shows every hotspot NASA FIRMS satellites have detected across Italy within the last 18 hours, covering the mainland, Sicily and Sardinia. If nothing is marked near your destination, no active fire has been detected there recently. Use the Live refresh button for the newest satellite pass rather than the cached view.
When is Italy's wildfire season at its worst?
Risk climbs from June and typically peaks in July and August, when vegetation is driest and heatwaves are most frequent. Southern regions and the islands often stay at risk into September. Early autumn rain usually brings a rapid drop in fire activity across most of the country.
What should I do if a wildfire is near my campsite or hotel?
Call 112 immediately, follow instructions from the vigili del fuoco (fire service) and site staff without delay, and move towards the coast or a major sealed road rather than uphill, since fire spreads fastest upslope. Keep car keys, documents and phone chargers ready to grab.
Are campfires and barbecues allowed in Italy in summer?
Most regions impose seasonal bans on open fires, barbecues and even smoking in woodland during the dry months, enforced through regional decrees that vary by area and can tighten further on high-risk days. Check local signage and municipal notices, since fines for breaches can be substantial.
What is the emergency number in Italy?
Dial 112, the single European emergency number, which connects you to police, ambulance and fire services anywhere in Italy, including Sicily and Sardinia. Operators can usually assist in English in tourist areas, though giving your exact location in Italian if possible speeds up the response.
How current is this wildfire map?
Hotspots come from VIIRS satellite passes that cover Italy several times a day, cached and refreshed automatically. Detections older than 18 hours are treated as extinguished and shown differently on the map. Press Live refresh at any time to pull the most recent available satellite data.
How do I see if a wildfire is close to my campsite or holiday address in Italy?
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.