The 2026 wildfire season continues to outpace historical norms, with 31,511 fires having burned nearly 2.5 million acres nationwide through June 5 — significantly above the 10-year averages of approximately 22,400 fires and 1.28 million acres over the same period, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.

Where Things Stand

As of Sunday, June 7, the National Preparedness Level stood at 2 on a scale of 1 to 5. Ten large fires remained uncontained nationwide, with three new large incidents igniting on Saturday alone. Approximately 2,336 personnel were assigned to fire incidents across the country.

Active large fires tracked by the National Interagency Coordination Center as of Sunday morning include:

  • Idaho — Blue Ridge Fire: 6,000 acres, 0% contained, BLM Twin Falls District, 16 miles west of Buhl
  • Idaho — Summit Creek Fire: 1,924 acres, 85% contained, Sawtooth National Forest, 11 miles southeast of Oakley
  • Florida — 340 Fire: 2,700 acres, 40% contained, National Forests in Florida, 26 miles southwest of Tallahassee
  • Florida — Shell Fire: 2,822 acres, 70% contained, National Forests in Florida, 13 miles west of Deland
  • North Carolina — Rose Bay Canal Fire: 373 acres, 20% contained, North Carolina Forest Service, 10 miles southwest of Fairfield
  • Alaska — Kopshesut Fire: 500 acres, 20% contained, BLM Alaska Fire Service, near Ambler

Oregon's Frontage Fire near Huntington — burning in Baker County sagebrush and grass — also remained active Sunday morning under BLM Vale District management.

Florida Bearing the Heaviest Load

Florida has been the hardest-hit state in the early 2026 fire season, experiencing over 2,100 wildfires and more than 141,000 acres burned — what state officials describe as one of the most challenging fire seasons in decades, driven by an 18-month drought. One Complex Incident Management Team is currently committed to the Seven Cabins Fire in New Mexico.

Resources and Mobilization

The National Multi-Agency Coordination Group is monitoring national fire activity and resource availability. National Preparedness Level 2 reflects active but manageable national fire conditions, with adequate national resources available for current incidents. As additional large fires develop through the summer peak, the preparedness level will be escalated accordingly, triggering additional pre-positioning of resources in high-risk areas.

Year-to-Date in Context

The 2026 season has burned nearly double the acres seen through early June in 2023 (580,085 acres) and is running 94 percent above the pace set in 2024 (1.28 million acres at the same date). The current trajectory — if maintained — would place 2026 among the more active fire seasons in recent memory well before the summer peak traditionally arrives in July and August.

Fire officials and the National Weather Service are forecasting dry and elevated fire weather conditions across most of the West for the coming week, with few exceptions. Officials urge residents in fire-prone areas to stay weather-aware and maintain preparedness.