Wildfires near Ratlou, Ngaka Modiri Molema
Ratlou is a municipality in Ngaka Modiri Molema, North West, South Africa — the interior plateau, the Karoo and the Highveld grassland. The map shows wildfires and satellite hotspots detected in and around Ratlou. Fires across North West peak in the dry winter and spring — roughly May to October — as the veld cures and berg winds drive runaway grass fires.
Conditions shown are for North West.
Current fires in Ratlou
No significant fires are currently detected in Ratlou.
Municipalities — Ngaka Modiri Molema
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Wildfire season in Ratlou
Fires across North West, which Ratlou belongs to, peak in the dry winter and spring — roughly May to October — as the veld cures and berg winds drive runaway grass fires. Over the period recorded here, the busiest month in North West has been September. Higher temperatures, low humidity and wind make fires start and spread faster — check the fire-danger level before lighting any fire or working outdoors.
What the Ratlou fire map shows
This page lists only the fires detected inside Ratlou itself, so it stays useful when the surrounding region is busy. Ratlou is one of 5 municipalities in Ngaka Modiri Molema. It lies about 49 km NW of the centre of North West. Detections come from NASA satellites and are not verified on the ground — never use them for safety decisions, and always follow the emergency services (call 10177).
Frequently asked questions
Are there wildfires in Ratlou right now?
When is the wildfire season in Ratlou?
Where in North West is Ratlou?
What area does the Ratlou map cover?
Is the Ratlou fire map official?
⚠️ The fires shown are automatic satellite heat detections from NASA FIRMS. They are not verified on the ground and are not 100% accurate — they can include false alarms (industrial heat, gas flares, sun glint) or miss small or cloud-covered fires. Do not use this map for safety decisions; always follow official emergency sources.