The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) reported on May 22, 2026 that 18 uncontained large fires are burning nationwide, with more than 5,000 personnel assigned to active incidents. Fire activity and firefighter engagement increased across several geographic areas during the past week, with the Southwest and California seeing the most significant incidents.

Year-to-date statistics paint a stark picture: 29,023 fires have burned more than 2.3 million acres across the United States through May 22 — well above the 10-year average of 20,055 fires and 1.17 million acres for the same period. By comparison, this time last year only 1.1 million acres had burned through late May.

Key Active Incidents

The most notable fires currently burning include:

  • Santa Rosa Island Fire (California): 18,379 acres, 59% contained, burning within Channel Islands National Park. The fire has impacted rare Torrey Pine groves on the eastern portion of the island. Evacuations remain in effect.
  • Seven Cabins Fire (New Mexico): 17,116 acres in the Capitan Mountains of the Lincoln National Forest, only 15% contained. Evacuation orders are in effect in the surrounding area.
  • Jericho Creek Fire (Montana): 1,100 acres, 0% contained, burning 16 miles southwest of Helena in the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest.
  • Hendricks Fire (Washington): 359 acres, 30% contained, managed by the BLM Spokane District approximately 14 miles southwest of Othello.

Conditions Ripe for Escalation

The NIFC weather outlook warns that conditions east of the Cascade Mountains remain particularly dry, with minimum relative humidities ranging from the single digits to 30 percent. While some isolated thunderstorms are possible across the Northern Rockies and portions of California, Utah, and Colorado, lightning could spark new ignitions without significant accompanying rainfall.

With Memorial Day weekend upon us — historically one of the highest-risk periods for human-caused wildfires — fire managers are urging the public to exercise extreme caution on public lands. NIFC emphasized that most wildfires in the United States are human-caused and preventable. Campers and recreationists are asked to avoid parking on dry vegetation, ensure campfires are completely extinguished, check that trailer chains are not dragging, and follow all local fire restrictions before heading outdoors.

Resource Deployment

One Complex Incident Management Team is currently supporting response efforts nationally. The National Preparedness Level, which tracks the overall strain on the firefighting system, remains at Level 2 on a scale of 1 to 5, though conditions could prompt an escalation as summer heat intensifies across the West.

Residents throughout the Pacific Northwest are encouraged to monitor NIFC's daily situation reports and local county emergency management agencies for the latest information on active fires and evacuation orders.