As the 2026 wildfire season grinds through its most destructive stretch in recent memory, wildland firefighters and their agency supervisors are speaking out about a system pushed to — and in many cases beyond — its limits.

48 Days at Preparedness Level 5

The United States reached National Preparedness Level 5 — the highest level, signaling that all available firefighting resources are fully committed — and sustained it for 48 consecutive days this summer. That figure approaches double the 10-year average for annual days spent at PL5. The current preparedness level has since been lowered to Level 3 as cooler temperatures and precipitation have temporarily moderated conditions, but the damage to crews and resources has been cumulative.

"We're near a breaking point," one federal fire crew supervisor told reporters this week. Firefighters across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho have described rotating through assignments with minimal rest, aircraft and equipment stretched across too many incidents simultaneously, and a national dispatch system straining to fill resource orders.

Budget Nearly Exhausted

The U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Wildland Fire Service have collectively dedicated more than $6 billion to fire suppression budget authority this year — effectively spending nearly the entire annual fire suppression budget as of September 2, with the season still active. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Adam Schiff (D-CA) formally sounded the alarm in a letter to administration officials, warning that continued large fire activity could require emergency supplemental appropriations.

Resources Currently Deployed

As of September 18, the NIFC reports the following resources assigned to wildland fire incidents nationally:

  • 12,000+ personnel on active assignments
  • 229 crews (including hotshot, type 2, and contract crews)
  • 625 engines
  • 70 helicopters

In the Pacific Northwest specifically, multiple Incident Management Teams remain active on Oregon and Washington fires, though the transition from suppression to mop-up and repair has allowed some resource releases back to home units.

New Hazard Pay Rule Takes Effect

In a positive development for the workforce, a new federal regulation effective September 14, 2026, extends 25% hazard pay to wildland firefighters engaged in prescribed burns — not just uncontrolled wildfires. Previously, federal firefighters earned hazard pay only during active wildfire suppression. The rule change, finalized by the Office of Personnel Management after receiving 92 public comments largely in support, is expected to improve recruitment and retention for prescribed fire programs that are critical to long-term fire risk reduction.

Wildfire Response and Readiness Act

Congress is also considering the Wildfire Response and Readiness Act, recently co-sponsored by additional House members. The legislation would strengthen pay, leave, and retirement benefits for wildland firefighters while boosting workforce training and recruitment. Advocates say passing it is essential to prevent the chronic understaffing that has plagued federal fire agencies during peak fire years.