What are the names and locations of the bushfires?
As of September 25, 2026, Australia's bushfire season is well underway. Northern Australia has entered its peak fire period, with active fires burning across several regions. Hot, dry, and windy weather has pushed fire danger higher, and severe fire danger warnings have been issued in parts of the north (1).
Rather than a single blaze, this season is shaping up as a series of fires across many states and territories. El Niño is one influence on the seasonal fire outlook. Temperatures in the central equatorial Pacific have risen at a record pace over the past six months, and forecasts suggest this could become one of the strongest El Niño events in living memory (2).
El Niño often brings drier weather to central and eastern Australia during winter and spring, and many parts of the country have recorded below average rainfall since the start of the year. Fire authorities have flagged a heightened risk of fire across several states and territories this spring. They are urging communities to understand their local conditions and prepare early (3).
Which cities or areas are affected by the bushfires?
The cities and areas affected by the bushfires include:
- Large parts of the Northern Territory
- Northern and southeastern New South Wales
- Cape York Peninsula and southeastern Queensland
- Northeastern Tasmania
- Parts of South Australia, Victoria, and Western Australia
What are the current containment statuses of the bushfires?
As of September 25, 2026, containment levels and burned area vary from fire to fire and can change within hours. No national containment figure is available, so the best source for up-to-date details on any specific fire is the relevant state or territory fire service (4).
Much of the current effort is focused on getting ahead of the season. In New South Wales, crews are carrying out hazard reduction burns to clear vegetation before conditions turn hotter and drier. Peak fire danger usually begins in mid-October in the north of the state and in December in the south (5).
These controlled burns help reduce the fuel available to future bushfires, but they can also send smoke into nearby communities for short periods (6).
Bushfire map of Australia, as of September 25, 2026, at 8:00 PM (local time). Source: IQAir.
Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place?
Evacuation orders and emergency warnings are issued for individual fires as conditions change. Residents and visitors should follow advice from their local fire and emergency services, check current warnings and incidents in their area, and have a bushfire plan ready before a fire starts nearby (7).
Australia’s new national emergency warning system, AusAlert, was successfully tested in July 2026 and is scheduled to launch on October 1, 2026 (8). Anyone in immediate danger should call Triple Zero (000).
How can I protect myself from bushfire smoke?
Always plan ahead to protect yourself from bushfire smoke.
- Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
- Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
-
Run a high-performance air purifier to filter bushfire smoke.
-
Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
- Stay indoors; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.
