Nation at Preparedness Level 4: 54 Large Fires Burning Across Western United States

The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) raised the National Preparedness Level to 4 on June 29, 2026 — the second-highest tier on the five-level scale — signaling that wildland firefighting resources are under significant strain as blazes burn from Alaska to New Mexico.

What Preparedness Level 4 Means

A National Preparedness Level (PL) of 4 indicates that firefighting resources are in high demand across multiple geographic areas simultaneously, and that competition for crews, aircraft, and equipment is intensifying. At PL4, federal agencies may begin prioritizing resource deployment and restricting the release of national assets to lower-priority assignments.

As of June 30, 54 large, uncontained fires are burning nationally. On that same day alone, 83 new fires were reported nationwide, including 8 new large fire starts. More than 8,200 personnel are currently assigned to active incidents across the country.

Year-to-Date Statistics

So far in 2026, 35,884 fires have burned more than 3.1 million acres across the United States — a pace well above historical averages and roughly double the acreage typical for this point in the season. The fire year has been especially severe across the Southwest, Great Basin, and Rocky Mountain regions.

Where the Fires Are

Large fires are currently distributed across multiple states, with the heaviest concentrations in:

Alaska — 16 large fires
Utah — 8 large fires, including the massive Snyder Fire complex near the Colorado border
Arizona — 6 large fires
Colorado — 6 large fires
Nevada — 4 large fires
New Mexico — 4 large fires

The Great Basin Predictive Services office has issued a Fuels and Fire Behavior Advisory covering eastern Nevada, the Arizona Strip, and much of Utah, citing unusually dry live and dead fuels as a critical concern going into July.

Pacific Northwest Situation

While much of the fire activity is concentrated to the south and east, the Pacific Northwest is not immune. Cooler temperatures have provided a brief respite for Oregon and Washington in recent days, but forecasters warn that above-normal temperatures and drying conditions are expected to intensify through the Fourth of July holiday and into mid-July.

The Northwest Interagency Coordination Center (NWCC) continues to coordinate resources for incidents across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Several fires are already burning in Central Oregon, and fire managers are watching closely as holiday weekend activity — including illegal fireworks use — historically contributes to new ignitions.

Looking Ahead