The National Interagency Coordination Center (NICC) lowered the national fire preparedness level to PL1 — the lowest level on the five-point scale — at 7:30 a.m. MDT on October 14, 2026, signaling that the most intense phase of the 2026 wildfire season has passed nationally. However, fire managers caution that the Pacific Northwest continues to face elevated fire potential, and autumn weather patterns could still produce significant fire weather events.

What Preparedness Level 1 Means

National Preparedness Level 1 indicates that geographic areas can accomplish incident management objectives using local resources with little or no national support. Conditions are not broadly favorable for significant wildland fire activity, resource capability is adequate nationally, and the potential for emerging significant fires is expected to remain minimal.

At PL1, the heavy mobilization of national firefighting resources — incident management teams, crews, engines, helicopters, and air tankers — that characterized the peak summer season is no longer occurring. This allows agencies to begin demobilizing resources, returning personnel to home units, and conducting post-season maintenance and planning.

13 Large Fires Still Active Nationally

Despite the lower preparedness level, 13 large fires remain active across the country as of October 16. Active fires are burning in:

  • California (4 fires): Including the Dome Fire near Yosemite (6,788 acres, 95% contained) and the Timber Fire on Los Padres National Forest (25,350 acres, 97% contained), plus two new fires in Southern California near Oceanside and San Clemente.
  • Michigan (3 fires): Multiple fires burning in the Upper Peninsula.
  • Oregon (2 fires): The Grasshopper and Austin fires on Mt. Hood National Forest, both at 98% containment.
  • Washington (1 fire): The Sisi Fire in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and North Cascades NPS Complex (4,615 acres, 34% contained).
  • Wyoming, Oklahoma, Mississippi (1 fire each).

Approximately 1,820 firefighters and support personnel remain assigned to active incidents, supported by 18 crews, 113 engines, and 9 helicopters.

A Record-Breaking Year Nationally

By any measure, 2026 has been a historically severe wildfire year. As of October 18, the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) reports that 9,033,773 acres have burned in 64,718 fires year-to-date — representing 143% of the 10-year average acres and 132% of the average number of fires for this date. The nation has not seen a fire season of this scale in recent memory.

The 10-year average for this date is approximately 48,906 fires and 6.3 million acres. The 2026 season has exceeded that average by more than 2.7 million acres.

Pacific Northwest Outlook: Elevated Risk Continues

Despite the national wind-down, the Pacific Northwest is holding at "elevated" fire potential through late October, according to NIFC Predictive Services. A brief cool, moist weather period mid-week is expected to provide temporary relief, but a high-pressure ridge is forecast to rebuild across the West by October 19-25, bringing above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation across Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming.

The Climate Prediction Center's 6-10 and 8-14 day outlooks both favor drier-than-normal and warmer-than-normal conditions across the broader Northwest, extending the window for autumn fire weather events. Breezy north-to-northeast winds gusting to 35 mph have already been observed across the Columbia Basin and much of Oregon this week.

Defensible Space Reminder

As the fire season winds down, NIFC is reminding landowners that post-season yard work in fire-prone areas can significantly improve home survivability in future wildfires. Key actions include pruning trees six to ten feet above ground, removing dead leaves and branches, keeping lawns green and trimmed, storing firewood away from structures, and developing household emergency plans. More guidance is available at Firewise.org.