Live satellite hotspots · source: NASA FIRMS
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Sicily is one of the worst-hit regions in Europe every summer. July 2023 was its worst on record: at 47°C with a hard sirocco, fires around Palermo reached the edge of the city, the airport closed temporarily and coastal hotels were evacuated. Fires also break out each year around Catania and on the flanks of Mount Etna.
This map plots every satellite detection across the whole island, from Trapani to Messina. Note that Etna is an active volcano, so heat from lava flows and craters can appear as a detection too — that is not a wildfire.
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.
Palermo and Monte Pellegrino
The dry hills around the city sit directly against housing, the coast road and Punta Raisi airport. With a sirocco wind, fire can reach the built-up area and the beaches of Mondello within an hour.
Etna and the Catania area
Pine and oak forest on the volcano's flanks, with citrus groves and campsites around it. Detections at the summit are volcanic activity; fires lower down the flanks are genuine wildfires.
Madonie, Nebrodi and Trapani
The ranges along the north coast near Cefalù and the hinterland of Trapani and Segesta. Beech, cork oak and macchia on steep slopes, with narrow roads that complicate evacuation.
Are there wildfires in Sicily right now?
The map shows every heat detection from the past 18 hours across the island. Press Live refresh for the latest satellite pass.
Is the Sicilian coast safe during the fire season?
Usually, but Sicily is the exception to the rule that coastal resorts stay clear: in 2023 fires reached the edge of Palermo and hotels near the coast. In heatwaves expect smoke, closed roads and occasional flight delays.
Are detections on Etna wildfires?
Not always. Etna is an active volcano; lava, craters and hot ash give off heat that satellites record as hotspots. Detections lower down the flanks and in forest are genuine wildfires.
When is the risk highest?
Mid-June to late September, peaking in July and August during sirocco winds: hot, dry air from North Africa that pushes temperatures above 40°C.
How do I get official warnings?
Call 112 in an emergency or 1515 for the forest fire service. Sicily's Protezione Civile publishes a daily risk level per province and sends IT-Alert messages.
Does this map cover Sardinia and Calabria?
No, this window covers Sicily and the Egadi and Aeolian islands. Sardinia has its own map; for Calabria and the rest of the country use the Italy map.
How do I see if a wildfire is close to my campsite or holiday address in Sicily?
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.