The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) lowered the national preparedness level to Preparedness Level 2 (PL 2) on September 22, signaling a meaningful de-escalation from a summer that taxed firefighting resources across the country to historic levels. The drop reflects a significant decrease in initial attack activity and overall fire behavior, even as nearly two dozen large fires remain active across the West.

From Maximum Mobilization to Measured Response

The 2026 fire season tested the national firefighting system in ways not seen in years. The nation operated at Preparedness Level 5 — the maximum level, indicating that firefighting resources are fully committed and additional support may be unavailable — for seven consecutive weeks from July 18 through September 4. That sustained maximum mobilization period reflects just how aggressively fires were burning across the West this summer.

As of September 25, the national fire situation has eased enough that NIFC reports resource availability is adequate to manage the current situation, with light ordering activity expected. The current national snapshot includes:

  • 26 large fires active across 10 states
  • 6,824 firefighters and support personnel assigned to incidents
  • 92 crews, 267 engines, and 44 helicopters deployed
  • 1,783,567 acres currently burning across all active fires

Washington and Oregon Dominate Active Fire Counts

Washington state leads all states with 7 large fires currently active, followed closely by Oregon with 6 large fires. Together, the two states account for more than half of the nation's current large fire activity — though fire behavior on most Pacific Northwest incidents has moderated significantly following recent rainfall and cooler temperatures.

Other states with active large fires include California (3), Montana (3), Oklahoma (2), Idaho (1), New Mexico (1), Wyoming (1), Colorado (1), and Texas (1).

A Record-Breaking Year by the Numbers

Even with fire activity easing, the 2026 numbers are staggering compared to historical averages. As of September 25, the year-to-date totals stand at:

  • 57,087 fires — 125% of the 10-year average number of fires for this date
  • 8,559,888 acres burned — 145% of the 10-year average acreage for this date

By comparison, the same period last year (2025) saw 52,112 fires burn 4,489,828 acres — meaning 2026 has burned nearly twice as many acres as 2025 through the same period.

National Preparedness Month: Americans Stand Ready

September is National Preparedness Month, recognized annually by FEMA, and this year's theme is "Americans Stand Ready." On the heels of a summer that displaced thousands of Americans due to wildfire evacuations, NIFC and FEMA are encouraging households and communities to review and update their emergency plans.

Resources including evacuation checklists, go-bag preparation guides, and emergency communication plans are available at ready.gov/stand-ready. For Pacific Northwest residents, fire preparedness resources are also available through state emergency management agencies in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.