Active Fires
Nation Reaches Preparedness Level 4 as 2026 Wildfire Season Explodes Ahead of July 4th
NIFC has elevated the National Preparedness Level to PL 4 for the first time since 2021, with 36,594 fires burning 3.2 million acres and 9,333 firefighters deployed nationally. The 2026 season is running far ahead of the 10-year average.
Active Fires
Multiple Wildfires Burning Across Washington State as Fire Season Accelerates
Washington state is tracking three active wildfire incidents — the Mt. Tom Creek Fire in Olympic National Park, the Henderson Fire near Lake Chelan, and the Hamilton Fire near Winthrop — as dry conditions raise concerns heading into the July 4th holiday weekend.
Active Fires
National Preparedness Level 4: U.S. Wildfire Season Already Running Far Above Average
The U.S. has reached National Preparedness Level 4 with 51 large fires burning across 12 states. Through July 1, the 2026 season has logged over 3.1 million acres burned — compared to just 1.8 million at the same point in 2025.
Active Fires
Nation at Preparedness Level 4: 54 Large Fires Burning Across Western United States
NIFC raised the National Preparedness Level to 4 on June 29, with 54 large fires burning nationally and over 8,200 firefighters deployed. The 2026 season has already burned 3.1 million acres — double the normal pace.
Active Fires
2026 Fire Season Already Among Worst in a Decade: Alaska, Great Basin Lead Active Burn
With over 3 million acres burned nationally by June 28 — nearly double the 2025 pace — Alaska leads all states with 12 large fires, while the Southwest continues to generate major incidents. Here's where things stand nationally as the Pacific Northwest watches and waits.
Active Fires
Cottonwood Fire: Nation's Largest Wildfire Surpasses 94,000 Acres in Utah's Fishlake National Forest
The Cottonwood Fire near Beaver, Utah has surpassed 94,000 acres and remains 0% contained — the largest active wildfire in the United States. Over 650 personnel are assigned. Smoke from the blaze is affecting air quality as far north as the Pacific Northwest.
Active Fires
Nation's Largest Wildfire: Utah's Cottonwood Fire Surpasses 92,000 Acres with Zero Containment
Utah's Cottonwood Fire has exploded to over 92,000 acres with 0% containment, making it the largest active wildfire in the United States and a potential draw on national firefighting resources that could affect Pacific Northwest response capacity.
Active Fires
Utah's Cottonwood Fire Tops 70,000 Acres — Nation's Largest Active Fire
The Cottonwood Fire in Utah has grown to over 70,000 acres, becoming the nation's largest active wildfire and what Governor Cox calls the most destructive in state history. FEMA has declared it a major disaster.
Active Fires
Idaho Fires Prompt Evacuations Near Pocatello, Statewide Risk Rising
Multiple wildfires broke out along a railroad corridor between Pocatello and Inkom on June 21, prompting evacuations and road closures. Idaho faces above-normal fire risk beginning in July.
Active Fires
National Wildfire Situation Reaches Preparedness Level 3 as 37 Large Fires Burn Across the West
The NICC is maintaining National Preparedness Level 3 as 37 large fires burn across 12 states, with 6,700+ personnel deployed and the 2026 season already exceeding 10-year averages for both fire count and acreage.
Active Fires
Shingle Creek Fire Burns Near Riggins, Idaho; Crews Work to Protect Structures
The Shingle Creek Fire near Riggins in Idaho County has reached 614 acres at 0% containment, with structures threatened and a major initial attack response underway including hotshot crews and multiple air tankers.
Active Fires
Lytle Fire Burns 2,000 Acres South of Vale, Oregon; Level 3 Evacuations Ordered in Malheur County
The Lytle Fire is burning 2,000 acres three miles south of Vale, Oregon, with extreme fire behavior and Level 3 evacuations ordered in Malheur County. The BLM-managed blaze is one of the Northwest's newest large fires.
Active Fires
Garred Road Fire Explodes to 3,500 Acres Near Coulee City, Sun Lakes Under Level 3 Evacuation
The Garred Road Fire in Grant County, Washington has grown to nearly 3,500 acres with Level 3 evacuations in effect for the Sun Lakes area and State Fire Mobilization authorized as the blaze threatens structures, a state park, and wheat fields.
Active Fires
Nation Reaches National Preparedness Level 3 as Wildfire Activity Surges Across the West
The National Interagency Fire Center raised the National Preparedness Level to 3 on June 18 as 31 large fires burn across eight states and demand for firefighting resources grows.
Active Fires
Washington Wildfire Outbreak: Upriver, Kartar, Tucannon, and Tule Fires Burning Across Eastern Washington
Five major wildfires are burning simultaneously across eastern Washington, including the Upriver Fire near Spokane that killed one person and destroyed 15+ structures. The Kartar, Tucannon, Tule, and Roza fires are also active.
Active Fires
2026 Wildfire Season Year-to-Date: More Than 2.6 Million Acres Burned Nationally, Double Last Year’s Pace
Through June 18, more than 33,349 fires have burned 2.6 million acres nationally — nearly double last year’s pace and well above the 10-year average. With peak fire season still ahead, 2026 is on track to be one of the most active wildfire years in recent memory.
Active Fires
Eastern Washington Ablaze: Kartar, Roza, and Tucannon Fires Force Evacuations Across Multiple Counties
Three major fires — the Kartar (11,679 acres, 0% contained), Roza (3,923 acres), and Tucannon (8,061 acres) — are burning across Eastern Washington, forcing evacuations and triggering state fire mobilization.
Active Fires
Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest Continues Prescribed Burns as Fire Danger Rises in Southern Oregon
The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is continuing prescribed fire operations across multiple units as a narrow spring burning window nears its end. In Idaho, the Poorman Prescribed Fire has treated 2,692 acres in the Boise National Forest area.
Active Fires
Washington Wildfire Outbreak: Tule Road, Kartar, and Roza Fires Burning Tens of Thousands of Acres
Three major wildfires are burning simultaneously across eastern and central Washington, including the 24,090-acre Tule Road Fire south of Yakima, the 11,740-acre Kartar Fire on the Colville Reservation, and the nearly-contained Roza Fire north of Selah.
Active Fires
Washington Fires Explode Across Eastern Counties as Nation Reaches Preparedness Level 3
Multiple new large fires ignited across eastern Washington this week, prompting Level 3 evacuations and road closures as the National Interagency Fire Center elevated the national preparedness level to PL3.