The National Interagency Fire Center has maintained a National Preparedness Level of 2 since March 20, 2026, reflecting ongoing elevated wildfire activity across the country well ahead of the traditional summer fire season peak. As of June 1, 2026, a total of 30,298 fires have burned more than 2.4 million acres nationwide — a figure that stands at roughly double the 10-year average for the same period.

Current Large Fire Activity

As of the most recent NIFC daily statistics report, four large fires remain active across the country, with approximately 7,589 total acres burning in uncontained status:

  • Summit Creek Fire – Sawtooth National Forest, Idaho (Cassia County, 1,743 acres, 54% contained)
  • Jericho Creek Fire – Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, Montana (16 miles southwest of Helena, 2,068 acres, 82% contained)
  • Lochloosa West Fire – Florida Forest Service, Florida (6 miles southwest of Hawthorne, 956 acres, 85% contained)
  • Shell Fire – National Forests in Florida (13 miles west of DeLand, 2,822 acres, 70% contained)

The nation's most serious recent incident was the Seven Cabins Fire in New Mexico, where structures were threatened and closures were imposed, though fire behavior has since become minimal and containment is improving.

What Preparedness Level 2 Means

The National Preparedness Level (PL) scale runs from 1 to 5 and reflects the overall demand for wildland fire resources nationally relative to supply. At PL 2, fires are active but national resources are generally available without significant shortfalls. Two complex incident management teams were supporting response efforts nationwide as of the latest report, with approximately 2,825 firefighting personnel assigned to active incidents.

As the summer progresses and fire activity increases in the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies, the preparedness level is expected to rise. PL 4 and PL 5 declarations — which trigger resource prioritization protocols and can affect how quickly additional crews and equipment reach individual fires — are not uncommon during peak August conditions in high fire years.

Historical Context

The 2026 season's pace through June 1 compares unfavorably to recent years:

  • 2026 (through June 1): 30,298 fires / 2,405,621 acres
  • 2025 (through June 1): 28,120 fires / 1,156,100 acres
  • 2024 (through June 1): 16,403 fires / 1,947,503 acres
  • 2023 (through June 1): 18,403 fires / 518,698 acres
  • 10-year average (through June 1): 21,232 fires / 1,221,412 acres

The current season is tracking significantly above average on both fire count and acreage, raising concern among fire managers about what the coming months will bring as temperatures rise and fuel moisture levels continue to decline across the West.

Most Wildfires Are Preventable

NIFC emphasizes that the majority of wildfires in the United States are human-caused and preventable. Common ignition sources include dragging trailer chains, parking on dry vegetation, unattended campfires, target shooting with incendiary ammunition, and equipment use without proper spark arresters. Observing all fire restrictions and practicing situational awareness on public lands is the single most effective action individuals can take to reduce fire risk.