The 2026 wildfire season has reached a historic and alarming milestone. As of August 27, the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) reports that 51,434 wildfires have burned more than 7.97 million acres across the United States since January 1 — representing 127 percent of the 10-year average for fire starts and a staggering 164 percent of the average for acres burned.

On August 27 alone, firefighters reported 113 new fire starts nationwide, including seven new large fires. That brings the current total of active large fires to 94, spread across 16 states and burning a combined 3.86 million acres. More than 21,854 firefighters and support personnel are currently assigned to active incidents.

Where the Fires Are Burning

The Pacific Northwest is bearing the heaviest burden of the season. Oregon and Washington each host 16 large fires — tied for the highest count of any state in the nation. Idaho follows with 12, mirroring neighboring Montana.

  • Oregon: 16 large fires, over 2.5 million acres burned statewide this season — a new all-time state record
  • Washington: 16 large fires, more than 631,000 acres burned and over $557 million in suppression costs
  • Idaho: 12 large fires; Governor Brad Little has declared a state disaster emergency
  • Montana: 12 large fires burning across the northern Rockies
  • Nevada: 11 large fires contributing to a difficult Great Basin season
  • Colorado: 4 large fires, including the 102,004-acre Aspen Acres Fire near Rye

Dangerous Weather Ahead

Conditions are not expected to improve in the near term. The National Weather Service is forecasting breezy west-southwest winds with gusts of 35 to 45 mph across the Inland Northwest, northern Rockies, and northern Great Basin, combined with relative humidity readings of just 5 to 20 percent — a recipe for explosive fire behavior.

A particular concern is the threat of dry and mixed thunderstorms tracking through northeast Washington, north Idaho, central Idaho, and the central Rockies. Dry lightning strikes on critically parched vegetation have driven many of this season's most destructive fire starts, and forecasters warn the pattern may continue through the weekend.

A Season Unlike Any Other

The pace and scale of 2026 fire activity dwarfs recent years. Through the same date in 2025, firefighters had responded to 46,122 fires burning 4.1 million acres. In 2024 — itself a severe season — totals stood at 33,060 fires and 6.4 million acres. The 2026 season has surpassed both years in fire starts and is on track to set all-time national acreage records.

NIFC officials urge the public to use extreme caution with any spark-producing activity, avoid flying drones near fire activity, and monitor local emergency alerts. For up-to-date national fire information, visit nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn or InciWeb at inciweb.wildfire.gov.