The 2026 wildfire season is running dramatically ahead of historical averages, with the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) reporting that 29,023 fires have burned more than 2.3 million acres nationwide through May 22 — nearly double the 10-year average of 1.17 million acres at the same point in the year.

As of the May 22 national situation report, 18 uncontained large fires were burning across the country, with more than 5,000 personnel assigned to active incidents. One Complex Incident Management Team was supporting response operations, and NIFC noted that fire activity and firefighter engagement had increased in several geographic areas over the prior week.

Key Active Fires

The most notable incidents include:

  • Santa Rosa Island Fire (California): Burning in Channel Islands National Park, this fire has grown to 18,379 acres since igniting on May 15. The remote island location has hampered aerial suppression efforts due to persistent strong winds.
  • Seven Cabins Fire (New Mexico): Sparked by the fatal crash of a small medical plane near the Capitan Mountains in Lincoln County, this fire has burned 17,116 acres with evacuations still in effect in portions of Lincoln County.
  • Montana: One large fire is being tracked in the state, with additional concerns as the region enters its drier summer months.
  • Florida: Three large fires are active, reflecting the state's early and extended fire season.

Weather Outlook Offers Mixed Relief

The NIFC weekly weather assessment for Memorial Day weekend notes that while rainfall is predicted for some areas of the West, it may arrive with lightning — a double-edged situation that could trigger new ignitions even as some precipitation falls. The driest conditions are expected east of the Cascades and across the Great Basin and Desert Southwest, where minimum relative humidities will range from single digits to 30 percent, with localized afternoon breezes further elevating fire danger.

National Preparedness at Level 2

The nation remains at Preparedness Level 2 on NIFC's five-level scale, reflecting elevated but not yet peak demand on national firefighting resources. Predictive services forecasters warn that above-normal significant fire potential is expected to expand across the Northwest, Northern Rockies, and Great Basin through the summer months.

NIFC officials used their Memorial Day messaging to remind the public that the vast majority of wildfires in the United States are human-caused and preventable. Common ignition sources during the holiday weekend include campfires left unextinguished, vehicles parked on dry vegetation, and improperly disposed smoking materials. Recreationists are urged to check current fire restrictions before heading into the field and to ensure all campfires are completely cold before leaving.

For real-time information on active incidents, visit InciWeb at inciweb.wildfire.gov or the NIFC national fire news page at nifc.gov.