Space-borne sensors provide the only way to monitor the global distribution and characteristics of fire. Dramatic satellite maps showing fire activity across the entire Earth have been providing a unique picture of fire activity for the last three decades. This chapter demonstrates the key role that satellite remote sensing can play in providing spatially and temporally explicit data and derived data products for monitoring of wildfires. Data from satellite remote sensing systems have been used to monitor smoke plumes, the extent of fire-affected areas, flaming and smouldering fire locations and timing, and to characterize various fire properties.