As the 2026 wildfire season grinds on, the human side of the firefighting equation comes into sharp focus: 14,405 firefighters and support personnel are currently assigned to wildfire incidents across the United States, according to NIFC's September 9 situation report. The Pacific Northwest accounts for a significant share of those resources, with Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana hosting 37 of the nation's 59 active large fires.
Incident Management Teams at Work in the Northwest
The Northwest Coordination Center has been coordinating a complex web of resource assignments throughout the season. Multiple Type 1 and Type 2 Incident Management Teams (IMTs) are active in the region, with the CIMT Northwest Team 8 currently managing both the Paradise and Hagen fires in the Umatilla National Forest in northeastern Oregon.
Type 1 IMTs — the highest certification level, capable of managing the most complex, multi-jurisdictional fires — are in high demand nationally. At the peak of the season in August, resource orders for overhead personnel, hand crews, heavy equipment, and air resources were being filled on a priority basis from the National Interagency Coordination Center in Boise, Idaho.
Aviation Resources
Air tankers, single-engine air tankers (SEATs), and helicopters have been critical force multipliers throughout the 2026 season. The Forest Service's exclusive use air tanker fleet and supplemental call-when-needed (CWN) aircraft have logged thousands of hours across PNW incidents. Retardant drops have been credited with slowing fire runs near several communities during the most critical periods of the season.
National Preparedness Level Drops to 3
On September 9, NICC dropped the national preparedness level from 4 to Level 3, effective 7:30 a.m. MDT. The change reflects improving conditions across multiple geographic areas, increasing availability of nationally shared resource types, and lighter ordering volumes through NICC.
At PL3, national resource sharing continues but at a reduced operational tempo. Regional coordination centers retain authority over resource allocation within their areas, and national resource orders are prioritized but no longer at the emergency surge level seen during PL4 and PL5 operations.
Workforce Stress and Mental Health
September is Suicide Prevention Month, and NIFC is using the month to draw attention to the mental health challenges facing wildland firefighters. Extended deployments, dangerous conditions, and the emotional toll of witnessing communities threatened or destroyed are contributing factors to mental health stress in the wildland fire workforce.
The National Wildfire Coordinating Group's Health and Wellness Subcommittee has developed resources specifically for the wildland fire community. Firefighters, support personnel, and their families can reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.
Volunteer and Cooperator Support
Beyond federal and state agency personnel, local fire departments, volunteer fire departments, and tribal fire crews have contributed significantly to this season's response in the Pacific Northwest. The Oregon Department of Forestry and Washington Department of Natural Resources have both had significant resources assigned to fire season operations on state and private lands, working in close coordination with USFS and BLM crews.