The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) reported Friday that 16 large fires are currently burning across the United States, with firefighters responding to rapidly changing conditions in multiple states. The national preparedness level remains at Level 2 on a scale of 1 to 5, with nearly 2,000 personnel assigned to active incidents.

Current Situation

As of May 15, 2026, 26,568 wildfires have burned more than 1.9 million acres across the country this year — well above the ten-year average for this point in the season. On Friday alone, 118 new fires were reported nationwide, with six qualifying as new large fires.

Active large fires are currently burning in Florida, New Mexico, Wyoming, Nebraska, Georgia, Montana, Arizona, Utah, California, and Texas. One Complex Incident Management Team is supporting response efforts across the country.

Notable Active Incidents

  • Seven Cabins Fire — Lincoln National Forest, New Mexico: Exhibiting wind-driven runs and long-range spotting. Fire behavior has been extreme with gusty southwest winds and critically low relative humidity.
  • Hunggate Fire — Texas: Prompted evacuations and road closures as crews worked to slow fire spread through dry grass and rangeland fuels.
  • Wild Horse Fire — Utah: Continues to grow in grass and brush fuels across the Great Basin.
  • Spread Creek Fire — Wyoming: Burning near Jackson, with crews responding to shifting terrain and fuel conditions.

Fire Weather Conditions

Breezy west winds of 20–30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph are expected across Montana and Wyoming eastward into the Upper Great Lakes, with minimum relative humidity falling to 10–25%. Southwest winds pushing into the Texas Panhandle are combining with near-100°F temperatures and single-digit relative humidity to create especially critical conditions.

In the Pacific Northwest, light showers continue in western Washington, providing temporary relief, while dry conditions persist in the Great Basin.

Wildfire Awareness Month

May is Wildfire Awareness Month, and NIFC is urging the public to take prevention seriously before peak fire season arrives. The agency notes that most wildfires in the United States are human-caused and preventable. Simple precautions — avoiding parking on dry grass, checking trailer chains for sparks, and following local fire restrictions — can significantly reduce ignition risk.

Residents across fire-prone regions are encouraged to monitor local fire restrictions, create defensible space around structures, and sign up for emergency alerts through their county emergency management offices.