The National Interagency Fire Center officially recorded the country at National Preparedness Level 1 as of October 14, 2026 — the lowest level on a five-point scale — marking a significant de-escalation from the crisis conditions that characterized much of the 2026 fire season. The drop to PL1 reflects a meaningful reduction in large fire activity nationally, though dozens of fires remain active across the West.

What Preparedness Level 1 Means

The National Preparedness Level system, managed by the National Multi-Agency Coordination (NMAC) Group at NIFC in Boise, Idaho, is the mechanism by which federal fire agencies ensure enough crews, aircraft, and equipment are available for new incidents across the country. At Preparedness Level 1, resource availability is adequate to meet current needs without significant competition for crews and equipment.

This is a dramatic shift from earlier in the 2026 season, when the nation spent weeks at Preparedness Level 4 and briefly touched Level 5 — the highest designation — as the Pacific Northwest, Northern Rockies, and Great Basin simultaneously experienced historic fire conditions. At peak season, resources including Type 1 Incident Management Teams, hotshot crews, and military aircraft were in extraordinarily high demand, with some incidents waiting days for assigned resources.

Resource Picture on October 18 IMSR

The most recent Incident Management Situation Report (IMSR) published on Sunday, October 18, 2026 at 0730 MDT confirmed the National Preparedness Level at 1. The report shows:

  • Significant reduction in large fire activity nationally compared to peak season
  • Resources available for new incidents without significant inter-regional competition
  • Initial attack activity described as light
  • Remaining active incidents concentrated in the Pacific Northwest, Northern Rockies, and California

A Season to Remember

The 2026 fire season will be remembered as one of the most severe in modern U.S. history. Year-to-date figures show more than 8 million acres burned nationally, with the Pacific Northwest bearing a disproportionate share of that toll. Oregon alone burned approximately 2.5 million acres — shattering all previous state records. At the height of the season, 93 or more large fires were burning simultaneously across the country, with Oregon, Washington, and Idaho hosting more than 40 of those incidents.

Federal, state, and local agencies deployed extraordinary resources: hotshot crews from every region of the country, military transport aircraft, international firefighters from Canada and Australia, National Guard units, and FEMA support teams. Governor Tina Kotek declared a State of Emergency in Oregon in June 2026 that remains in effect through December 31.

Looking Ahead to Prescribed Fire Season

With fire suppression resources no longer stretched to the limit, land managers across the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountain West are taking advantage of fall conditions to implement long-planned prescribed burns. Treating forest fuels now — particularly in the ponderosa pine and mixed conifer zones that burned so intensely in 2026 — is a critical tool for reducing risk in future fire seasons.

Fire managers emphasize that even at PL1, remaining active fires should be taken seriously. Smoldering fires can reactivate, and new ignitions are still possible while fuel moisture levels remain below historical averages.