| Icon/Color | Meaning | Action Required | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Active Fire Front – Flames actively spreading. | Danger zone. Evacuate if nearby. Do not approach. | | Orange Dot | Thermal Hotspot – Intense heat source (likely a large fire). | Monitor official channels. High risk of spreading. | | Yellow Square | Smoke Plume – Detected via visible satellite imagery. | Indicates wind direction and potential air quality issues. | | Grey Area | Burned Scar – Area already consumed by fire. | Safe to enter only after official re-opening. Risk of falling trees. | | Blue Border | Containment Line – Fire perimeter established by firefighters. | Fire is surrounded but not necessarily extinguished. | Pro tip: Look for the "Última Atualização" timestamp. If the data is older than 1 hour, the situation may have changed drastically. The "Rural Fire Danger" Index Before looking at the active fire map, check the Fire Danger Rating displayed on the side panel. This is color-coded from green (low) to red (maximum) and purple (extreme).
If you see a Red or Purple rating for your district (e.g., Castelo Branco, Faro, or Porto), the map will likely show dozens of small ignitions. On extreme days, even a spark from a tractor or a discarded bottle can trigger an active fire. Beyond the Dots: What the Map Doesn't Tell You While the map shows where fire is, it does not show velocity or future path . In Portugal, fires are driven by the Nortada (north wind) or the Suão (east wind). A fire located 5km away on the map can reach your property in 10 minutes if winds are gusting over 40km/h. mapa de incêndios ativos em portugal
This isn't just a collection of red dots on a screen. It is a real-time, life-saving dashboard that translates satellite data into actionable intelligence. The Mapa de Incêndios Ativos is a digital platform, primarily hosted by IPMA (Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera) and ICNF (Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas), that aggregates data from various sources to show ongoing vegetation fires. | Icon/Color | Meaning | Action Required |