The United States wildland fire community remains at National Preparedness Level 2 as of early June 2026, with 14 uncontained large fires burning from Florida to Montana and New Mexico. According to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), the 2026 fire season has already logged more than 30,000 fires burning in excess of 2.4 million acres — a pace significantly ahead of the 10-year average of approximately 1.2 million acres through June 1.

Year-to-Date Totals Outpace Historical Norms

NIFC reports that between January 1 and June 1, 2026, fires have burned 2,405,621 acres — more than double the 10-year average and substantially higher than the 1,156,100 acres burned over the same period in 2025. Fire managers attribute the elevated totals to a combination of persistent drought, record-low winter snowpack across the West, and earlier-than-normal drying of fuels.

The 2025–2026 winter season was among the warmest and driest on record across the Pacific Northwest and much of the interior West, setting the stage for an early and aggressive fire season. Oregon state climatologist Larry O'Neill described the snow drought as unlike anything in the historical record: "As far as we can tell, there is no historical equivalent."

Active Large Fires by Region

As of June 3, active large fires are concentrated in the following states:

  • New Mexico: The Seven Cabins Fire in the Capitan Mountain Wilderness remains the nation's largest active fire at 31,770 acres, with containment improving. A second fire, the Hummingbird Fire on the Gila National Forest, has burned 5,716 acres.
  • Montana: The Jericho Creek Fire on the Helena–Lewis and Clark National Forest has consumed 2,068 acres and is 82% contained. The Bradshaw Fire has burned 2,209 acres.
  • Idaho: The Summit Creek Fire near Oakley in Cassia County has grown to 1,438 acres and is 53% contained.
  • Florida: Three large fires continue to burn in National Forests in Florida and on state lands, totaling roughly 5,400 acres combined.

Firefighting Resources Fully Engaged

Approximately 2,825 personnel are currently assigned to fire incidents across the country. Two complex Incident Management Teams are supporting multi-day operations. Aerial resources including airtankers, helicopters, and single-engine air tankers have been pre-positioned in high-risk areas ahead of forecast dry and windy conditions.

NIFC officials have emphasized that the majority of wildfires in 2026 remain human-caused and preventable. Public messaging campaigns are urging Americans to avoid parking vehicles on dry grass, to check equipment and trailer chains to prevent dragging, and to fully extinguish campfires and grills before leaving any fire site.

Outlook Heading Into Summer

AccuWeather forecasters project between 65,000 and 80,000 wildfires this season, potentially burning 5.5 to 8 million acres — a significant increase over 2025's already-elevated 5.1 million acres. The highest-risk areas are forecast for the Southwest, Rockies, Great Basin, and the Interior Northwest, including portions of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.

Residents across the Pacific Northwest are urged to check local fire restriction notices, sign up for emergency alerts through their county, and have a go-bag and evacuation plan ready before fire weather arrives. Visit nifc.gov for daily situation reports and updates.