The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) dropped the national wildfire preparedness level to PL 2 on September 22, 2026, marking a significant step down from the intense fire activity that dominated the summer months. The reduction reflects a notable decrease in initial attack activity and large fire incidents across the country.

What the Drop Means

The preparedness level system runs from 1 to 5, with PL 5 representing maximum national mobilization of firefighting resources. For most of this summer, the nation was at PL 5 — a designation it held for 49 consecutive days from July 18 through September 4, according to NIFC. That period represented a prolonged stretch of simultaneous large fires burning aggressively across multiple states, straining every available resource.

At PL 2, resource availability is described as "adequate to manage the current situation," with only light ordering flowing through the National Interagency Coordination Center to support ongoing incidents. As of September 22, there were 31 uncontained large fires nationwide with 9,701 firefighters and support personnel assigned.

A Season for the Record Books

Even with the easing conditions, 2026 will be remembered as one of the most destructive wildfire seasons in recent history. Year-to-date figures through September 22 stand at:

  • 56,794 fires nationwide
  • 8,554,955 acres burned
  • Approximately 50 percent above the 10-year average for this date
  • Nearly double the acreage burned by the same date in 2025

By comparison, all of 2024 saw approximately 14,000 square miles burn nationwide. As of mid-September 2026, the season had already consumed roughly 13,200 square miles — dangerously close to surpassing 2024s full-year total with weeks of fire season remaining.

Regional Picture

As of September 22, active large fires remain burning across 12 states. The Pacific Northwest continues to see fire activity, with incidents in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho all still listed among active large fires in the NIFC daily report. The Southern Area — including Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas — carries the most active incidents, with hot and dry conditions persisting across the Lower Mississippi Valley keeping fire danger elevated.

The Northwest region had 14 uncontained large fires and 5,050 personnel as recently as September 21, with five complex incident management teams committed to ongoing fires in Washington and surrounding states.

What Comes Next

NIFC noted that at PL 2 and lower, National Fire News will be updated on Fridays only — another sign that the most intense period of the 2026 fire season is drawing to a close. However, fire managers caution that late-season fires in the Pacific Northwest and other regions can still present significant challenges, particularly when wind events develop or dry conditions return.

Residents across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho are encouraged to remain aware of local fire conditions and follow instructions from county emergency management offices as crews work to reach full containment on remaining active fires.