The 2026 wildfire season is running far ahead of historical norms, with 31,511 fires having burned nearly 2.5 million acres across the United States as of June 5, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Both metrics significantly exceed the 10-year averages of 22,418 fires and 1.28 million acres for the same period.

By the Numbers

NIFC's year-to-date statistics as of June 5, 2026:

  • 2026: 31,511 fires | 2,474,611 acres
  • 10-year average (2016–2025): 22,418 fires | 1,279,756 acres
  • 2025 (same period): 29,239 fires | 1,240,993 acres
  • 2024 (same period): 16,905 fires | 1,975,251 acres

The 2026 season is running approximately 41% above the 10-year average in fire count and nearly double the 10-year average in acres burned. The elevated acreage figure suggests that while fire frequency is higher than normal, fire intensity and average size are also tracking upward.

Current National Picture

As of the June 5 national briefing, six uncontained large fires were burning nationwide, with 2,336 personnel assigned to active incidents. The largest national management commitment is one complex incident management team supporting the Seven Cabins Fire in New Mexico, where containment has been growing as crews secure control lines.

Four large fires are currently listed on NIFC's daily report:

  • Border 6 — 2,525 acres, 70% contained, one mile east of Marron Valley, California
  • Shell Fire — 2,822 acres, 70% contained, 13 miles west of Deland, Florida (National Forests in Florida, USFS)
  • Summit Creek Fire — 1,924 acres, 85% contained, 11 miles southeast of Oakley, Idaho (Sawtooth National Forest, USFS)
  • Rose Bay Canal Fire — 373 acres, 0% contained, 10 miles southwest of Fairfield, North Carolina (North Carolina Forest Service)

Get Outdoors Day Fire Safety Warning

With National Get Outdoors Day falling on June 8, NIFC is specifically calling on the public to practice fire-safe behavior while recreating on public lands. Major human-caused fire ignitions include:

  • Loss of control of debris burning
  • Unattended or unextinguished campfires
  • Sparks or heat transfer from vehicles, chainsaws, and recreational vehicles

"Each year, thousands of fires in the United States are caused by people," NIFC noted in its June 5 briefing. "Become a part of the solution by going the extra mile to be fire safe on your public lands."

Outlook for the Summer

Low relative humidities and dry conditions are forecast to persist across much of the country over the coming week, with few exceptions. The National Interagency Coordination Center's seasonal outlook projects above-normal fire potential across the Pacific Northwest, Northern Rockies, and much of the West through the core summer months. Fire managers caution that if the current trajectory continues, 2026 could rival some of the worst fire seasons on record for total acreage burned.

Daily national fire statistics are published by NIFC at nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn.