The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) raised the National Preparedness Level to 5 — the highest tier on its five-point scale — on July 18, 2026. The designation reflects the extraordinary demand for firefighting resources across the country and triggers the mobilization of additional federal and military support assets. The Northwest Geographic Area simultaneously reached Preparedness Level 5, representing the most intense operational footing available to the region's fire management agencies.

A Massive National Mobilization

As of July 22, 2026, NIFC reports 21,263 firefighters and support personnel engaged in nationwide fire activity. That includes:

  • 492 fire crews (each typically 20 personnel)
  • 1,159 engines
  • 124 helicopters

These resources are spread across 72 large fires burning in 14 states, with the Northwest commanding the largest share of committed resources. The Northwest Interagency Coordination Center (NWCC) reports 14 complex incident management teams committed in the region, most managing multiple fires simultaneously — an operational tempo that tests the limits of the national incident management system.

Military C-130 Airtankers Staged in Oregon

NIFC has activated military support through the Modular Airborne FireFighting System (MAFFS), which fits retardant-delivery modules into Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve C-130 transport aircraft. Three wings have been called up for duty:

  • 302nd Airlift Wing (Air Force Reserve, Colorado): Two MAFFS C-130 airtankers and support personnel deployed to Klamath Falls, Oregon — a critical staging base for southern Oregon and northern California fire operations.
  • 153rd Airlift Wing (Wyoming Air National Guard): One MAFFS C-130 deployed to San Bernardino, California.
  • 146th Airlift Wing (California Air National Guard): One MAFFS C-130 deployed to Santa Maria, California.

The MAFFS C-130s staged at Klamath Falls are particularly significant for the Northwest, providing additional large airtanker capacity to support Oregon's 21 active large fires. Each MAFFS aircraft is capable of delivering up to 3,000 gallons of fire retardant per sortie, and the units can be reloaded quickly on the ground for multiple drops per day.

Drone Incursions Threatening Aerial Operations

NIFC has documented 19 drone incursions near active wildfires across the nation so far in 2026, with California accounting for six incidents — the highest of any state. Unauthorized drones near wildfires force the immediate grounding of all aerial firefighting operations until the airspace is declared clear. Even a brief delay of several minutes can allow a fast-moving fire to escape containment or overrun suppression resources on the ground.

Federal law prohibits drone flight within the Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) zones established around wildfires. Violators can face significant federal fines and criminal liability. Anyone near wildfire activity is urged not to fly drones under any circumstances. Know before you fly at knowbeforeyoufly.org.

Resources Running Short in the Northwest

With the Northwest already at Preparedness Level 5 and multiple regions nationwide competing for the same crews, engines, and helicopters, fire managers report that resources are stretched to the breaking point. Jefferson Public Radio noted that crews fighting dozens of Oregon wildfires are working under significant resource constraints, with some fires receiving less initial attack support than desired due to the volume of simultaneous incidents.

Mutual aid agreements between states and with federal agencies are being fully utilized. Oregon added approximately 800 personnel to its statewide effort by July 20, but fire starts continue to outpace the capacity of crews to contain them. The situation underscores the importance of early preparedness, as communities on fire perimeters cannot count on immediate firefighting support arriving before evacuation becomes necessary.