The United States is experiencing one of the most severe wildfire seasons on record, with 95 large fires actively burning across 13 states as of August 7, 2026. More than 30,000 firefighting personnel are currently deployed nationwide, and the National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group has maintained the National Preparedness Level at 5 — the maximum — since July 18.
By the Numbers
The National Interagency Fire Center reported that as of August 7, active fires have consumed approximately 3.4 million acres nationwide. Year-to-date, firefighters have responded to 45,502 wildfires burning more than 5.6 million acres — a significant jump over the same period in 2025 (3.6 million acres) and tracking well above the 10-year average.
- Active large fires: 95
- Personnel assigned: 30,132
- Year-to-date fires: 45,502
- Year-to-date acres: 5,669,416
- New large fires (Aug. 7): 13
The Pacific Northwest Dominates
The Pacific Northwest is bearing the brunt of this year's fire siege. Oregon leads all states with 29 large active fires, followed by Washington with 18. Idaho is reporting 7. Together, the three Pacific Northwest states account for more than half of the country's large active fire incidents. Montana adds another 11, making the northern Rockies and Northwest a fire-management crisis zone unlike anything seen in years.
Both the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center (NWCC) in Portland and the national coordination center in Boise are at Preparedness Level 5. This designation means that interagency firefighting resources are fully committed and being triaged and shared based on risk, values at risk, and firefighter safety. When resources are this stretched, some fires will inevitably receive reduced initial attack response.
Hot, Dry Conditions Not Letting Up
The weather forecast offers little relief. A hot, dry, and unstable air mass is expected to persist across the West through the coming week. Daytime relative humidity is dropping to 3–15% across much of the Northwest, California, the Great Basin, and northern Rockies — with virtually no overnight recovery. Temperatures are forecast to exceed 100°F in lower elevations and approach 110°F in parts of inland California and the southern Great Basin.
NIFC predictive services issued new fuels and fire behavior advisories for Southwest Idaho and Eastern Nevada/Central Utah on August 7, reflecting continued extreme fire danger in the region.
What Preparedness Level 5 Means for You
For communities in or near fire-prone areas, a national PL5 means mutual aid resources that would normally be available quickly may take longer to arrive. Local preparedness is more important than ever. Residents should know their evacuation routes, sign up for local emergency alert systems, and have go-bags ready for rapid departure.