2026 United States wildfires

2026 United States wildfires
Smoke from the Lavender Fire on February 17
Statistics
Total fires12,979[1]
Total area1,415,180 acres (572,700 ha)[1]

This is a list of wildfires across the United States during 2026, that have burned more than 1,000 acres (400 hectares), produced significant structural damage or casualties, or otherwise been notable. Acreage and containment figures may not be up to date.

Background

Season background

While most wildfires in the United States occur from May to November, wildfires can occur at any time of the year. Peak fire season typically occurs in August, when temperatures are at their highest and the driest. Wildfires outside of the fire season are becoming more common due to climate change and changing weather patterns. Rising temperatures are leading to earlier snowmelt and later fall and winter precipitation. Drought and hot, dry weather events are becoming more common. Forest pests, such as bark beetles, and invasive species, such as cheatgrass, kill trees and make forests more vulnerable. Areas with dense vegetation or tree cover provide ample fuel for fires.[2]

Seasonal forecasts

In January 2026, the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), issued its National Seasonal Fire Outlook. This forecast projected above-normal wildfire risk for much of Texas, Florida, Georgia, Carolinas, and the southeastearn United States. The elevated risk was linked primarily to persistent atmospheric patterns resembling La Niña, which typically reduce precipitation and increase temperatures in these regions. The outlook considered factors such as expected temperature and precipitation anomalies, soil moisture, and vegetation dryness to predict fire activity for the upcoming season.[3]

Climatic conditions

Animation of US drought map 2026

In January 2026, the U.S. Drought Monitor reported that 69% of the United States was under drought conditions, with the South being the hardest-hit region.[4] On January 6, for the first time since 2000, California was drought-free.[5] Drought did improve across the South during March, however.[6]

Seasonal summary

Firefighting efforts in 2026 required record mobilization of personnel and resources. Incident management teams, ground crews, and aerial firefighting assets were extensively deployed to manage numerous large and complex fires. However, prescribed burning and mechanical fuel reduction strategies faced limitations due to narrow windows of safe weather conditions and ongoing drought, constraining mitigation options during the critical peak season.[7][8][1]

2026 United States wildfires by month[9]
Jan Feb Total
Number of Fires 2,909 4,986 7,895
Acres Burned 34,965 351,026 385,991

List

Name State County Acres Start date Containment date[a] Notes References
Shell Creek Oklahoma McIntosh 1,263 January 15 January 19 2026 Oklahoma wildfires [11]
Calf Oklahoma Pittsburg 1,575 January 16 January 20 2026 Oklahoma wildfires [12]
Silver Lake Florida Wakulla 4,816 January 17 January 22 2026 Florida wildfires - Human-caused in Apalachicola National Forest. [13][14]
Havasu Arizona Mohave 3,868 January 19 January 28 Started from an escaped prescribed burn. [15][16]
ST-1 Alpha Florida Highlands 3,047 February 3 February 5 2026 Florida wildfires [17]
Curry Island 26 Florida Glades 1,800 February 7 February 7 2026 Florida wildfires [18]
Buggy Florida Broward 4,267 February 7 February 9 2026 Florida wildfires [19]
Leche New Mexico San Miguel 3,366 February 9 February 19 2026 New Mexico wildfires [20]
352 New Mexico Quay 2,674 February 9 February 19 2026 New Mexico wildfires [21]
West Boundary Road Florida Hendry 2,624 February 10 February 17 2026 Florida wildfires [22]
640 Florida Polk 1,216 February 10 February 10 2026 Florida wildfires [23]
Flat Tire Oklahoma Beaver 1,983 February 10 February 13 2026 Oklahoma wildfires [24]
Gray Oklahoma McIntosh 1,087 February 10 February 15 2026 Oklahoma wildfires [25]
First Point Florida Okeechobee, Glades 8,612 February 12 February 13 2026 Florida wildfires [26]
Levy Florida Osceola 1,300 February 15 February 15 2026 Florida wildfires [27]
County Road 89 Colorado Morgan, Weld 1,089 February 17 February 17 2026 Colorado wildfires [28]
County Road 169 Highway 24 Colorado Elbert, Lincoln 5,599 February 17 February 18 2026 Colorado wildfires [29]
Smith New Mexico Harding 3,797 February 17
99%
 2026 New Mexico wildfires [30]
43 Road Oklahoma Woodward 1,680 February 17 February 22 2026 Oklahoma wildfires - Caused evacuations for the city of Woodward. [31]
Side Road Oklahoma Texas 3,680 February 17 February 22 2026 Oklahoma wildfires [32]
Ranger Road Oklahoma, Kansas Beaver (OK), Harper (OK), Clark (KS), Comanche (KS), Meade (KS) 283,283 February 17 February 24 2026 Oklahoma wildfires, 2026 Kansas wildfires – Caused evacuation orders for the communities of Englewood and Ashland in Kansas. [33]
Stevens Oklahoma, Kansas Texas (OK), Seward (KS), Stevens (KS) 12,428 February 17 February 23 2026 Oklahoma wildfires, 2026 Kansas wildfires - Caused evacuations for the community of Tyrone. [34]
8 Ball Texas Armstrong, Donley 13,564 February 17 February 21 2026 Texas wildfires - Caused evacuations for the community of Howardwick. [35]
Lavender Texas Oldham, Potter 18,423 February 17 February 22 2026 Texas wildfires [36]
Tennis Kansas Finney 5,000 February 17 February 20 Burned thousands of acres, stretching 11 miles long. [37]
Andrew Lane Kansas Meade, Seward 7,217 February 17 March 2 2026 Kansas wildfires [38]
Poor Farm Oklahoma Pittsburg, Latimer 9,565 February 19 February 23 2026 Oklahoma wildfires [39]
Tiger Tank Mississippi Perry 1,800 February 19 February 19 2026 Mississippi wildfires [40]
Cluster Louisiana Winn 1,122 February 20 February 23 2026 Louisiana wildfires [41]
Range 6 Mississippi Perry 3,525 February 22 March 11 2026 Mississippi wildfires [42]
National Florida Collier 35,027 February 22 March 17 2026 Florida wildfires - Human-caused in Big Cypress National Preserve. Caused dense smoke across South Florida, leading to the temporary closure of Alligator Alley. [43]
Dahlberg Colorado Douglas 1,081 February 24 February 24 2026 Colorado wildfires [44]
Cypress Creek Wilderness Texas Angelina, Jasper 6,754 February 24 March 9 2026 Texas wildfires [45]
Nebo Mountain Texas Gillespie 1,160 February 24 February 25 2026 Texas wildfires [46]
113 Colorado Logan 5,125 February 25 February 25 2026 Colorado wildfires [47]
Radar Florida Polk 2,000 February 26 February 27 2026 Florida wildfires [48]
Rehder Creek Montana Musselshell 5,060 February 26 March 1 Evacuation orders in Roundup and surrounding areas. [49]
Doke Number Two Oklahoma Atoka 2,477 February 27 March 2 2026 Oklahoma wildfires [50]
Savannah Florida Liberty 1,930 March 3
75%
 2026 Florida wildfires [51]
Rawlins Co TP Kansas Rawlins 1,521 March 3 March 3 2026 Kansas wildfires [52]
Dolly Texas Swisher 1,533 March 3 March 3 2026 Texas wildfires [53]
Helen New Mexico Mora 1,132 March 3
95%
 2026 New Mexico wildfires [54]
East Tower North Carolina Dare 1,410 March 4 March 11 [55]
Old Bowling Green Florida Polk 3,297 March 5 March 12 2026 Florida wildfires [56]
Porcupine Creek Wyoming Campbell 2,490 March 9 March 10 Caused evacuations for the town of Wright. [57]
Cabin Creek Texas Gray 7,000 March 9 March 11 2026 Texas wildfires [58]
Yellow Texas Hartley, Moore, Oldham 14,374 March 10 March 13 2026 Texas wildfires [59]
Road 203 Nebraska Blaine, Thomas 35,913 March 12
80%
 2026 Nebraska wildfires [60]
Anderson Bridge Nebraska Cherry 17,400 March 12
60%
 2026 Nebraska wildfires [61]
Qury South Dakota Custer 9,168 March 12
57%
 Caused evacuations for Custer. [62]
Morrill Nebraska Morrill, Garden, Arthur, Keith, Grant 643,074 March 12
98%
 2026 Nebraska wildfires - One confirmed fatality. Caused evacuations for Lewellen and areas around Lake McConaughy. Ran over 100 miles in one day. Largest recorded single wildfire in modern state history. [63][64]
Cottonwood Nebraska Dawson, Lincoln 128,036 March 12
80%
 2026 Nebraska wildfires - Caused evacuations for Farnam and surrounding areas. Second largest recorded wildfire in state history. [65]
Yearling Pasture Oklahoma Osage 5,039 March 13
65%
 2026 Oklahoma wildfires [66]
Five Oklahoma Osage 1,960 March 14
85%
 2026 Oklahoma wildfires [67]
Range 121 Colorado El Paso 1,100 March 15 March 16 2026 Colorado wildfires [68]
Salt Fork Oklahoma Greer, Jackson 3,327 March 15 March 18 2026 Oklahoma wildfires [69]
Neon Beige Texas Oldham 1,688 March 15 March 16 2026 Texas wildfires [70]
Cliff Lake Florida Liberty 4,082 March 17
50%
 2026 Florida wildfires [71]
Nineteen Colorado El Paso 1,600 March 18 March 19 2026 Colorado wildfires [72]
24 Colorado El Paso, Fremont, Pueblo 1,067 March 18
0%
 2026 Colorado wildfires [73]
Sunset Louisiana Winn 1,000 March 18 March 19 2026 Louisiana wildfires [74]
Rattlesnake Hollow Oklahoma McIntosh 1,027 March 18
60%
 2026 Oklahoma wildfires [75]
Drummond Oklahoma Osage 5,000 March 18
0%
 2026 Oklahoma wildfires [76]
Armstrong Oaks Texas Brooks, Kenedy 2,245 March 19
75%
 2026 Texas wildfires [77]

Notes

  1. ^ Containment means that fire crews have established and secured control lines around the fire's perimeter. These lines are artificial barriers, like trenches or cleared vegetation, designed to stop the fire's spread, or natural barriers like rivers. Containment reflects progress in managing the fire but does not necessarily mean the fire is starved of fuel, under control, or put out.[10]

References

  1. ^ a b c "National Interagency Fire Center National Fire News Year-to-date statistics". National Interagency Fire Center. January 17, 2026. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
  2. ^ "When is Wildfire Season in the US?". wfca.com. Western Fire Chiefs Association. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  3. ^ "Climate Prediction Center". NOAA Climate Prediction Center. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
  4. ^ "U.S. Drought Monitor". U.S. Drought Monitor. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  5. ^ "California completely drought free for the first time in 25 years". The Weather Network. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
  6. ^ "Widespread Drought Improvement For The South, Midwest". Weather Bug. March 12, 2026. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  7. ^ "National Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook". National Integrated Drought Information System. February 1, 2026. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
  8. ^ "Departments of the Interior and Agriculture Announce Wildland Fire Service Plan to Modernize and Support the Wildland Fire Workforce". U.S. Department of the Interior. January 13, 2026. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
  9. ^ "Wildfires Report 2026". National Centers for Environmental Information.
  10. ^ "What containment and other wildfire related terms mean". Los Angeles: KCAL-TV. September 12, 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  11. ^ "Shell Creek Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  12. ^ "Calf Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  13. ^ "Silver Lake Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
  14. ^ "Silver Lake - Wildfire and Smoke Map". data.floridatoday.com. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  15. ^ "Havasu Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  16. ^ "Havasu Fire Information". InciWeb. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
  17. ^ "ST-1 Alpha Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  18. ^ "Curry Island 26 (22) Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved February 7, 2026.
  19. ^ "Buggy - Broward (06) Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved February 7, 2026.
  20. ^ "Leche Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  21. ^ "352 Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  22. ^ "W Boundary Rd (26) Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  23. ^ "640 (53) Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  24. ^ "Flat Tire Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  25. ^ "Gray Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  26. ^ "First Point (22) Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
  27. ^ "Levy (49) Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  28. ^ "County Road 89 Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
  29. ^ "County Rd 169 Hwy 24 Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  30. ^ "Smith Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  31. ^ "43 Road Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  32. ^ "Side Road Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  33. ^ "Ranger Road Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  34. ^ "Stevens Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  35. ^ "8 Ball Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  36. ^ "Lavender Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  37. ^ "Tennis Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  38. ^ "Andrew Lane Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  39. ^ "Poor Farm Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  40. ^ "Tiger Tank Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
  41. ^ "Cluster Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  42. ^ "Range 6 Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
  43. ^ "National Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  44. ^ "Dahlberg Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
  45. ^ "Cypress Creek Wilderness Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
  46. ^ "Nebo Mountain Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
  47. ^ "113 Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
  48. ^ "Radar Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
  49. ^ "Rehder Creek Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
  50. ^ "Doke Number Two Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved February 28, 2026.
  51. ^ "Savannah Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
  52. ^ "Rawlins Co TP Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
  53. ^ "Dolly Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
  54. ^ "Helen Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
  55. ^ "East Tower Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
  56. ^ "Old Bowling Green Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  57. ^ "Porcupine Creek Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
  58. ^ "Cabin Creek Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
  59. ^ "Yellow Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
  60. ^ "Road 203 Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved March 12, 2026.
  61. ^ "Anderson Bridge Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved March 12, 2026.
  62. ^ "Qury Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved March 12, 2026.
  63. ^ "Morrill Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved March 12, 2026.
  64. ^ "Governor says Nebraska grandmother died in Morrill Fire trying to escape". Nebraska Public Media. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  65. ^ "Cottonwood Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved March 12, 2026.
  66. ^ "Yearling Pasture Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  67. ^ "Five Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  68. ^ "Range 121 Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  69. ^ "Salt Fork Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  70. ^ "Neon Beige Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  71. ^ "Cliff Lake Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  72. ^ "Nineteen Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  73. ^ "24 Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved March 20, 2026.
  74. ^ "Sunset Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
  75. ^ "Rattlesnake Hollow Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  76. ^ "Drummond Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
  77. ^ "Armstrong Oaks Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
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