The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) elevated the National Preparedness Level (NPL) to Level 3 on June 18, 2026, as wildfire activity surged across multiple regions of the country and demand for firefighting resources continued to climb. The escalation reflects growing competition for a finite pool of specialized resources at a time when the Northwest, Great Basin, Rocky Mountain, and Southwest regions are all experiencing simultaneous fire activity.

What National Preparedness Level 3 Means

The National Preparedness Level is a 1-to-5 scale used by NIFC to communicate the overall readiness posture of the nation’s firefighting resources. At Level 3, geographic areas are increasingly drawing on national support to accomplish incident management objectives, and the allocation of scarce resources like Type 1 and Type 2 Incident Management Teams, air tankers, and specialized crews requires coordination at the national level.

As of June 18, approximately 4,900 personnel are assigned to large incidents nationwide, including two Complex Incident Management Teams managing multiple fires simultaneously. Nationally, 27 uncontained large fires were burning across 11 states as of the most recent reporting period.

Northwest Resource Picture

The Pacific Northwest is at the epicenter of current fire activity. Washington State has seen the most significant escalation, with Complex Incident Management Teams (including NW Team 2) assigned to the Roza and Tucannon fires simultaneously. Washington Governor Ferguson authorized State Fire Mobilization for the Tucannon Fire, deploying:

  • Five wildland fire strike teams
  • Three hand crews
  • Multiple air resources (helicopters and fixed-wing)
  • The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray activated to Level 2

Oregon’s emergency declaration under Executive Order 26-10 allows the state to draw on out-of-state resources through interstate compacts and mutual aid agreements. ODF has pre-positioned engines, aircraft, and hand crews in areas of elevated concern ahead of anticipated fire weather.

Aviation Resources Under High Demand

Air tankers, single-engine air tankers (SEATs), and helicopters are among the most critically demanded resources during elevated preparedness levels. With fires burning simultaneously across the Northwest and other regions, pilots and aircraft are being strategically positioned at lead plane bases and airtanker bases across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho to maximize response capability.

Residents living near active fires or in high-risk areas should be aware that aviation resources may be temporarily unavailable if multiple new fires ignite simultaneously — a scenario that becomes increasingly likely during red flag conditions.

Year-to-Date National Statistics

  • Fires reported in 2026 (through June 18): 33,349
  • Acres burned in 2026: 2,627,549
  • 10-year average fires (same period): 24,685
  • 10-year average acres (same period): 1,611,629

Both the number of fires and total acreage burned are significantly above the 10-year average, signaling that 2026 is on pace to be an exceptionally active fire year. With peak fire season in the Pacific Northwest still weeks to months away, agencies are urging the public to take all necessary preparedness actions now.