The 2026 wildfire season is tracking well above average, with 25,560 fires burning more than 1.88 million acres across the United States through May 11 — significantly exceeding the 10-year average of approximately 1.05 million acres for the same period, according to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC).

The National Preparedness Level stands at 2 on a scale of 1 to 5. As of Tuesday, 16 large fires are actively burning across nine states, with nearly 2,400 personnel and two Complex Incident Management Teams deployed to support operations.

Where the Fires Are

The Southern Area continues to see the most concentrated activity, with five large fires burning in Florida — including the South Canal Fire, which is exhibiting wind-driven runs and long-range spotting behavior and remains only 10% contained — along with active incidents in Georgia and North Carolina.

In the Southwest, the Hummingbird Fire on New Mexico's Gila National Forest remains active, though recent precipitation has moderated behavior in some areas. A new fire near Ridgecrest, California, the Canyon Fire, ignited recently and has already burned an estimated 2,000 acres with zero containment.

In the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies, Oregon has one active large fire — the Pine Mountain Fire near Bend — and Montana's East Side Fire south of Red Lodge is now 52% contained at 1,219 acres.

Year-to-Date Statistics

  • 2026 (through May 11): 25,560 fires | 1,881,436 acres
  • 2025 same period: 24,868 fires | 1,024,657 acres
  • 2024 same period: 13,614 fires | 1,850,771 acres
  • 10-year average: 17,713 fires | 1,052,600 acres

Prevention Focus

May is National Wildfire Awareness Month. Federal agencies are reminding the public that nearly 85% of wildfires are human-caused and preventable. Simple actions — checking trailer chains before travel, complying with local fire restrictions, and fully extinguishing campfires — can make a significant difference in preventing catastrophic fires.

"Firefighters and support personnel are working together across agencies to respond quickly and keep fires small, but they cannot do it alone," NIFC said in its May 8 update.

With drought gripping much of the western United States and snowpack well below normal across the Pacific Northwest, fire officials warn that the most challenging part of the season — typically July through September — still lies ahead.