National Wildfire Situation Report
Date: August 2, 2026

Here is your daily high-level summary of the wildfire situation across the United States, providing the latest data and context over the last 72 hours.

National Overview

The United States is currently operating at National Preparedness Level 5 (PL 5), the highest level of wildland fire response. This indicates that significant fire activity is occurring in multiple geographic areas simultaneously, and firefighting resources are heavily committed nationwide, with the potential to exhaust all available agency resources.

The 2026 fire season is running significantly ahead of normal. Year-to-date, over 44,250 fires have burned more than 4.9 million acres across the country, exceeding the 10-year average for both the number of fires and total acres burned. This escalation is largely driven by a confluence of severe drought, insufficient winter snowpack, and prolonged, extreme heatwaves across the Western United States.

Significant Wildfire Situations

Over the last 72 hours, firefighters have been working to suppress 84 large, uncontained fires. The Pacific Northwest and Great Basin regions are experiencing the most severe impacts. The most noteworthy fires currently burning include:

1. Big Grass Fire (Oregon): The largest active fire in the nation, currently burning 288,120 acres with only 5% containment.
2. Crosswhite Fire (Oregon): Burning 174,969 acres and is currently 31% contained.
3. Coleman Creek Fire (Oregon): Spanning 146,293 acres with 0% containment, exhibiting rapid and unchecked growth.
4. Kaiser Canyon Fire (Washington): Burning 126,402 acres at 16% containment in rugged terrain.
5. Babylon Fire (Utah): A massive 107,189-acre fire that is now 95% contained, representing a major success in recent suppression efforts.
6. Aspen Acres Fire (Colorado): Burning 101,921 acres and is currently 66% contained.
7. Cottonwood Fire (Utah): Spanning 97,464 acres and reaching 95% containment.
8. Shingle Fire (Oregon): Though smaller at 67,416 acres (10% contained), this fire is highly impactful. It has triggered widespread evacuations, threatens numerous homes, and is burning aggressively due to heavy timber and hazard trees.
9. Ant Fire (Northern Rockies): A rapidly emerging new large incident that ignited and spread significantly within the last 72 hours.
10. Coyote and Henry Fires (Oregon): While these fires have seen stabilization in the last 48 hours, they remain a high priority as incident commanders carefully manage remaining heat and shift freed-up resources to the volatile Shingle Fire.

Firefighting Efforts

An immense logistical and personnel response is underway to protect life, property, and natural resources. According to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), there are currently 26,808 firefighters and support personnel deployed to wildland fire incidents across the country.

This massive interagency effort includes the mobilization of 601 hand crews, 1,618 fire engines, and 203 helicopters. Because the nation is at PL 5, the National Interagency Coordination Center is actively prioritizing resource requests, reassigning personnel and heavy equipment from areas with lower fire activity to the most critical incidents in the Northwest and Northern Rockies.

Weather and Fire Conditions

Fire weather conditions over the last 72 hours have been exceptionally severe and are expected to deteriorate further. A rare "Particularly Dangerous Situation" (PDS) Red Flag Warning has been issued for parts of the Pacific Northwest, including eastern Oregon.

Widespread critical to extreme fire weather is developing across the Inland Northwest and Northern Rockies, driven by a dry cold front. Communities should be highly concerned about unseasonably strong wind gusts of 35–50 mph combined with plummeting minimum relative humidity (5-25%). Temperatures are also expected to climb between 110°F and 120°F in the Southwest, and well into the 90s in the Pacific Northwest.

Impact on Firefighting: These conditions will severely challenge current firefighting efforts. The longer summer days are extending the daily burn period, while high winds threaten to ground aerial support and push existing fires past established containment lines. Any new fire starts in these conditions are likely to spread rapidly and erratically.

Information for Concerned Residents and Citizens

With extreme fire weather persisting, public vigilance and preparedness are crucial:

• Stay Informed: Monitor local emergency alerts and check InciWeb (inciweb.wildfire.gov) for real-time, incident-specific updates and evacuation notices.
• Prevent Human-Caused Fires: Adhere to all local burn bans and fire restrictions. Avoid any outdoor activities that could produce a spark, including using certain power equipment, dragging tow chains, or parking hot vehicles on dry grass.
• Prepare for Evacuations: Residents in high-risk or affected areas should have a "go-bag" ready, containing essential documents, medications, and supplies. Ensure your vehicle has a full tank of gas and that your family has a clear evacuation plan.
• Protect Your Health: Wildfire smoke is heavily impacting air quality across multiple regions. Limit outdoor activities, keep windows closed, and use HEPA air purifiers if you are in a smoke-affected area.
• Mitigate Risk: Implement Firewise practices around your home by clearing dead vegetation, cleaning pine needles from gutters, and maintaining a defensible space to protect your property from flying embers.