The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) reported on July 11, 2026, that 42 large uncontained fires are burning across the United States, with firefighting resources operating at National Preparedness Level 4 — the second-highest level on the five-point scale — a designation in place since June 29, 2026.

Scale of Current Fire Activity

On July 11 alone, 164 new fires were reported nationwide, including seven new large fires. More than 14,400 firefighting personnel are currently assigned to incidents across the country. So far in 2026, 38,747 fires have burned more than 3.4 million acres nationwide, a pace that has resource coordinators monitoring demand carefully as the heart of the fire season approaches.

The 42 large fires currently burning span a dozen states, with the heaviest concentrations in:

  • Alaska — 7 large fires
  • Oregon — 5 large fires
  • Idaho — 4 large fires
  • Utah — 4 large fires
  • Colorado — 4 large fires
  • Washington — 4 large fires
  • California — 3 large fires

The Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies geographic areas are among the most active, aligning with the current heat dome bringing extreme temperatures to the Inland Northwest and Great Basin.

National Guard Airtankers Mobilized

As demand for aerial resources intensifies, two Modular Airborne Firefighting System (MAFFS) C-130 airtankers and support personnel from the California Air National Guard’s 146th Airlift Wing have been deployed to San Bernardino and Santa Maria, California. MAFFS aircraft are typically activated only during periods of significant national demand when contracted airtanker fleets are fully committed.

What Preparedness Level 4 Means

National Preparedness Level 4 indicates that wildland firefighting resources are heavily committed across multiple geographic areas, limiting the availability of national-level assets for new or escalating incidents. At this level, the NIFC coordinates closely with Geographic Area Coordination Centers to prioritize resource deployment across competing demands. A move to Level 5 — the highest designation — would indicate resources are essentially fully committed nationwide.

Fire Prevention Reminder

With human-caused ignitions posing a significant risk during high-activity periods, NIFC is urging the public to take precautions. Key reminders include:

  • Check local fire restrictions before camping or recreating outdoors.
  • Never park vehicles on dry grass, as hot exhaust can ignite fires.
  • Ensure trailer chains are properly secured to prevent sparks on roadways.
  • Fully extinguish campfires before leaving — drown them, stir the ashes, and drown them again.

Resource managers are closely watching forecast models for the coming week. If temperatures remain elevated and humidity stays critically low, the potential for fire escalation remains high across the PNW and Northern Rockies.