As September begins, the 2026 wildfire season has already rewritten the record books. According to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), firefighters have responded to 52,253 wildfires that have consumed more than 8.2 million acres across the United States year-to-date — representing 126% of the 10-year average for fire starts and a staggering 166% of the average for acres burned.

As of August 31, 2026, crews are actively working to contain 93 large fires across 16 states, with nearly 4 million acres still burning. A total of 22,434 firefighters and support personnel are currently deployed to incidents nationwide.

Pacific Northwest Leads in Active Large Fires

The Pacific Northwest continues to bear a disproportionate burden of the nation's fire activity. As of the latest NIFC report:

  • Idaho — 14 large fires burning
  • Washington — 14 large fires burning
  • Oregon — 10 large fires burning

Together, the three-state PNW region accounts for 38 of the nation's 93 active large fires — more than 40% of the national total.

A Brutal Summer Eases Slightly

There is cautious good news heading into September: on August 31, the Northwest Geographic Area dropped from Preparedness Level 5 (PL5) to Preparedness Level 4 — the first downgrade after an extraordinary 44 consecutive days at the highest operational level. PL5 triggers maximum resource mobilization and indicates conditions under which fire activity is at its most extreme.

The national preparedness level remains at PL5, reflecting continuing extreme fire conditions across the southern Plains and other regions.

By the Numbers: 2026 vs. Prior Years

The scale of 2026's fire season becomes stark when compared to recent history through August 31:

  • 2026: 52,253 fires — 8,238,284 acres
  • 2025: 46,713 fires — 4,142,738 acres
  • 2024: 33,735 fires — 6,418,477 acres
  • 2023: 39,443 fires — 2,011,193 acres
  • 2021: 42,889 fires — 4,887,466 acres

At 8.2 million acres, 2026 is already the worst year for burned acreage since at least 2017, and the fire season is not yet over.

Fuels Advisories Remain in Place

NIFC reports that fuels and fire behavior advisories remain active for Southwest Idaho and the broader Pacific Northwest region, in addition to North Central Texas. Forecasters warn that dry fuels, low relative humidity, and periodic gusty winds will continue to present ignition threats through the early fall.

Residents across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho are urged to avoid all outdoor burning and report any suspicious fire behavior to local law enforcement or their nearest ranger district immediately. Check NIFC's National Fire News daily for the latest situation reports.