The 2026 wildfire season has become one of the most destructive in recorded history, with nearly 8 million acres scorched across the United States as of August 26 — a staggering 165 percent of the 10-year average for acres burned at this point in the year. Firefighters are battling 93 active large fires nationwide, with the Pacific Northwest at the epicenter of the crisis.

By the Numbers

According to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), 51,295 wildfires have ignited across the country so far in 2026, representing 127 percent of the 10-year average for fire frequency. More than 22,356 firefighters and support personnel are currently assigned to active incidents nationwide — a mobilization that has pushed the National Preparedness Level to 5, the highest possible designation, where it has remained since July 18.

At Preparedness Level 5, federal firefighting resources are considered fully committed and strained. Agencies must carefully prioritize where limited aircraft, hand crews, and equipment are deployed — and new ignitions may not receive immediate federal support.

Pacific Northwest Leads in Active Fires

Oregon leads all states with 17 active large fires, followed by Washington with 15, Montana with 12, and Idaho with 10. Together, the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies region accounts for nearly half of all large fires currently burning in the country.

  • Oregon: 17 large fires — the most of any state
  • Washington: 15 large fires — acreage burned is 420% above this date last year
  • Montana: 12 large fires
  • Idaho: 10 large fires
  • Nevada: 9 large fires

Fires are also burning in Colorado (4), California (3), Minnesota (3), Utah (3), New Mexico (3), Oklahoma (4), Georgia (2), Florida (2), Texas (2), South Dakota (1), and Alaska (1).

2026 vs. Prior Years

The scale of this year's fire season dwarfs recent history. By this same date in 2025, only 45,867 fires had burned 4.1 million acres. In 2023, a relatively mild season, just 1.9 million acres had burned by late August. Even compared to the severe 2020 and 2021 seasons, 2026 is tracking significantly higher in total acreage.

What Is Driving the Crisis

Fire weather forecasters at NIFC point to a convergence of factors: temperatures running 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit above normal across the inland Northwest, relative humidity levels dropping to 10 to 20 percent, and wind gusts of 25 to 35 mph. In parts of Idaho and western Montana, isolated to scattered thunderstorms are also producing dry lightning that is igniting new fires faster than crews can respond.

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide wildfire emergency on August 1 and issued a burn ban across all 39 counties through September 30. Oregon and Idaho have likewise restricted open burning in affected areas. The Northwest Coordination Center (NWCC) in Portland is currently at Preparedness Level 5 — matching the national designation.

Fire managers warn that with weeks of summer remaining and fuel moisture at critically low levels across the region, the season is far from over.