The United States is experiencing one of its most severe wildfire seasons on record as of July 31, 2026, with 85 large fires burning across 17 states and the Northwest Geographic Area locked at the highest wildfire preparedness level possible.

National Picture: A Season Above All Averages

According to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), 43,264 fires have burned more than 4.66 million acres across the United States so far in 2026 — exceeding the 10-year average for both the number of fires and total acreage. As of July 30, more than 2.8 million of those acres remain active, with 85 large fires collectively engaged across the country.

Oregon leads the nation with 30 large active fires, followed by Washington with 12, Colorado and Minnesota with 6 each, California and Nevada with 5 each, and Montana with 4. Idaho adds three more large incidents to the regional toll.

Northwest at Preparedness Level 5

The Northwest Geographic Area — encompassing Oregon and Washington — remains at National Preparedness Level 5, the highest possible designation. This level signals that nationwide fire activity is so severe that resources must be carefully coordinated and prioritized, and that some fires may not receive immediate full suppression support.

As of July 30, 43 large fires remain uncontained in Oregon and Washington alone, with 20 Complex Incident Management Teams assigned across the two states. These Type 1 and Type 2 teams represent the most experienced and resource-intensive management structures in the nation.

Firefighting Workforce Stretched Thin

NIFC reported that 27,038 firefighters and support personnel are currently engaged in nationwide fire activity, supported by 587 crews, 1,615 engines, and 200 helicopters. Nine new large fires were identified in the 24-hour period ending July 30.

"We expect it to remain very active, with the Northwest continuing to have a lot of fire activity," said Stanton Florea, a spokesman for NIFC. "Statistically, we are having a well above-average season."

Lightning: The Catalyst

The current outbreak traces its origins to mid-July, when a series of dry thunderstorms swept across Oregon and Washington, delivering thousands of lightning strikes to tinder-dry forests and rangelands. Those ignitions rapidly escalated, and the region has been in a sustained siege ever since. Forecasters warn that additional isolated dry thunderstorm activity remains possible through the coming days, particularly over north-central and eastern Idaho and extending into eastern Washington.

With the fire season still weeks from its historical peak, land managers and emergency officials are urging the public to stay informed, adhere to any evacuation orders, and prepare go-kits now.