The National Multi-Agency Coordination Group (NMAC) has maintained National Preparedness Level 5 — the highest possible designation — since late July 2026, as firefighting resources across the country are stretched to their limits. As of August 23, 22,122 firefighters and support personnel are actively assigned to 79 large fires burning across 3.57 million acres.

Preparedness Level 5 means that national resources are fully committed and are being triaged — allocated to the fires where they are needed most urgently. At this level, incoming new fires must compete for resources with existing large incidents, and some incidents may not receive the resources their managers request.

The Northwest Gets the Lion's Share

The Pacific Northwest is receiving an outsized share of national firefighting resources. As of August 23, NIFC reported 11 complex incident management teams assigned to fires in the Northwest — far more than any other geographic area. Oregon (15 large fires), Washington (13), and Idaho (11) account for 49 of the 79 large fires burning nationally.

Air tanker assignments, hand crews, engines, and helicopters from across the country have been flowing into the Northwest throughout the season. International resources have also been deployed, with crews from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and other partner nations assisting under reciprocal fire assistance agreements.

Unprecedented Season Statistics

Year-to-date through August 23, 2026:

  • 50,580 wildfires have been reported nationally
  • More than 7.7 million acres have burned
  • That is 129% of the 10-year average for fires started
  • And 169% of the 10-year average for acres burned

By comparison, the same period in 2025 saw 45,177 fires burning 4.05 million acres, and 2024 saw 31,948 fires burning 5.59 million acres. The 2026 season has already far exceeded both.

Firefighter Workforce

The USDA Forest Service entered the 2026 season with more than 28,000 wildfire responders and over 22,000 contracted resources across 2,500 vendors, according to the USDA's 2026 Wildfire Readiness Memorandum. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins issued the memorandum in April, directing the Forest Service to heighten national wildfire readiness, accelerate community-focused risk reduction, and strengthen firefighter health and safety.

Firefighter fatigue is a growing concern as crews have been rotating through extended deployments all summer. Personnel cycling out of Northwest assignments are providing relief, but the sheer scope of the season means many firefighters have had limited time at home between deployments.

Aviation Resources

Air tankers and helicopters have played a critical role in the 2026 response. Single-engine air tankers (SEATs), large air tankers (LATs), and very large air tankers (VLATs) have been deployed across the Northwest, providing retardant coverage in remote terrain where ground access is impossible or too dangerous. The NIFC's National Tanker Base coordinates national air tanker movements to ensure coverage where it's needed most.

Officials note that while resources are heavily committed, the priority remains protecting life and community infrastructure. Residents near active fires should heed evacuation orders and warnings immediately — do not wait for conditions to deteriorate before leaving.