### National Overview

As of April 2, 2025, the United States is experiencing a significant and active wildfire season, with various regions across the country affected by multiple large and destructive fires. The number of wildfires and acres burned so far in 2025 are well above the 10-year averages, with 14,849 wildfires burning 707,228 acres since the beginning of the year[3].

### Significant Wildfire Situations

#### Oklahoma
Oklahoma is dealing with the aftermath of a massive fire outbreak that began on March 14, resulting in over 20 wildfires, including the **33 Road Fire** and the **Luther Fire**, which merged in Logan and Payne counties. The 33 Road Fire has burned 33,075 acres, destroyed 49 homes, and was 50% contained as of March 18. The fires have caused four deaths and 200 injuries, with significant structural damage, including the loss of hundreds of homes in the city of Stillwater[1].

#### Texas
Texas is battling multiple wildfires, with over 50 fires reported since March 14. Notable fires include the **Windmill Fire**, which grew to 23,200 acres but is now 99% contained, and the **High Lonesome Fire**, which expanded to 18,000 acres and is currently 50% contained. These fires have led to road closures and power outages but have caused minimal structural damage[1].

#### North Carolina
The **Rattlesnake Branch Fire** in North Carolina, which began on March 26 near Cruso, has burned 1,865 acres and is currently 24% contained. The fire, fueled by dry conditions in hardwood leaf litter, has spread into the Shining Rock Wilderness Area within the Pisgah National Forest. Recent rainfall has helped subside fire activity, but warmer and drier conditions are expected to return[5].

#### Florida
In the Florida Keys, the **344 Fire** has burned 3,600 acres with 20% containment, forcing the closure of Florida’s 18-Mile Stretch linking US-1 to the Keys[1].

#### Carolinas
Multiple wildfires have been reported in North Carolina and South Carolina following a Red Flag Warning. The U.S. Forest Service is actively responding to these fires, which have been exacerbated by dry conditions and downed timber from past storms[2].

### Firefighting Efforts

Firefighting efforts are ongoing across the affected regions, with various agencies including the U.S. Forest Service, state, and local partners working together to contain the fires. In Oklahoma, extensive resources have been deployed to manage the large-scale fires, while in Texas, firefighters are working to contain new fires as they emerge. In North Carolina, the Rattlesnake Branch Fire is being managed with a combination of full suppression and confinement strategies. The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture has pledged support and resources to ensure effective response and containment in the Carolinas[1][2][5].

### Weather and Fire Conditions

Current weather conditions are contributing to the heightened fire risk. Breezy and dry southwesterly winds, low relative humidity, and above-normal temperatures are prevalent in many regions, particularly in the Southern Appalachian Mountains and Foothills, where critical fuel moisture levels are exacerbating fire behavior. Easterly winds in Florida and westerly winds in the Southwest are also contributing to dry conditions. Rainfall in some areas, such as North Carolina, has provided temporary relief, but warmer and drier conditions are expected to return, maintaining the high fire risk[3][5].

CITATIONS

['https://disasterphilanthropy.org/disasters/north-american-wildfires/', 'https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2025/03/03/secretary-rollins-addresses-wildfires-carolinas', 'https://www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn', 'https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/predictive/outlooks/monthly_seasonal_outlook.pdf', 'http://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ncncf-rattlesnake-branch']