Despite mid-October's typical fire season wind-down, the National Interagency Fire Center reports a substantial national resource deployment still actively supporting eight large fires across the country. As of the most recent NIFC situation report, 3,123 firefighters and support personnel remain assigned to active incidents nationwide.

National Resource Snapshot

Current national deployment includes:

  • 41 hand crews — 20-person teams performing direct and indirect suppression, line construction, and mop-up
  • 98 engines — structure and wildland engine resources providing mobile water delivery and structure protection
  • 30 helicopters — providing aerial reconnaissance, water drops, crew transport, and cargo delivery to remote fires
  • 3,123 total personnel — including firefighters, overhead management, logistics, and support staff

This level of mobilization in mid-October reflects the unusual persistence of fire activity in 2026 — a year that has burned over 9 million acres and continues to tax the nation's interagency firefighting system.

Northwest Geographic Area

The Northwest Geographic Area (which encompasses Oregon, Washington, and Idaho) continues to have resources committed to the Little Giant Fire and Sisi Fire in Washington's Chelan County, both managed by the CIMT Northwest Team 12. The Sisi Fire, at only 34% containment, is the most demanding remaining incident in the Northwest — its remote location near Stehekin requiring helicopter access for crew and supply transport.

As the Pacific Northwest fires move toward mop-up and eventual containment, resources will be gradually demobilized and returned to their home units or reassigned to other geographic areas still experiencing active fire conditions. The transition from suppression to mop-up mode typically allows significant resource reduction.

Year-End Demobilization Ahead

Fire managers are planning for the seasonal demobilization of national resources as the weather pattern shifts. The incoming cold front and anticipated precipitation in the Northwest will accelerate mop-up timelines on the Chelan County fires and support crew demobilization in the coming weeks.

Nationally, resources from California's four active fires — the Bouquet, Cyrus, Dome, and Timber fires — are also trending toward demobilization as containment percentages climb. The Timber Fire on the Los Padres National Forest (25,350 acres, 97% contained) and Bouquet Fire on the Angeles National Forest (1,048 acres, 93% contained) are the most nearly complete.

  • NIFC Preparedness Level: 2 (as of September 22, 2026)
  • Active large fires: 8 nationally
  • Total personnel: 3,123
  • Northwest incidents: Little Giant (WA, 95% ctn.), Sisi (WA, 34% ctn.), Austin (OR, 98% ctn.), Grasshopper (OR, 98% ctn.)

For real-time resource and incident information, visit the NIFC Daily Situation Report at nifc.gov.