Daily Wildfire Summary Report – April 16, 2026

National Overview

As of April 16, 2026, the National Preparedness Level (NPL) is at Level 2. This indicates that while national fire activity is relatively light, certain geographic areas—particularly the Southern Area—are experiencing increased activity, prompting states to share firefighting resources to support local crews. According to the latest National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) Incident Management Situation Report, there were 74 new fires reported in the last 24 hours, alongside 5 new large incidents. Nationally, there are currently 25 uncontained large fires being actively managed, with over 42,000 acres burning in large fires.

While current daily activity is moderate, the 2026 fire season has already been historically devastating. Driven by rising temperatures, extreme drought, and La Niña-like atmospheric patterns, early spring fires scorched over a million acres across the Great Plains. Nebraska recently recorded its largest blaze in state history—the 642,000-acre Morrill Fire—in March. Furthermore, Florida is currently experiencing its worst drought emergency since 2012, which has already fueled more than 1,600 wildfires and burned over 100,000 acres in the state this year.

Significant Wildfire Situations

The following is a summary of the most impactful and noteworthy fires and regions over the last 72 hours, prioritized by size, current fire behavior, and threat to local populations:

1. Buffalo Gap Fire (South Dakota): Currently burning approximately 5,400 acres, making it one of the larger active incidents in the Plains region.
2. Jericho Rd Fire (Georgia): Located west of Newton, this fire is exhibiting extreme fire behavior, including crowning and wind-driven runs. Residences are currently threatened.
3. Horny Toad Fire (Texas): An active large fire burning in the Texas Panhandle, a region still recovering from massive early-season blazes.
4. Colorado/New Mexico Border Fire (Colorado): An early-season fire that quickly grew to approximately 450 acres. Its rapid spread has prompted New Mexico to implement statewide fire restrictions on state lands.
5. Woodbury Fire (South Carolina): Burning in southern rough and timber east of Hemingway. The fire is showing moderate behavior with group torching, and local residences are threatened.
6. Sargent Fire (Florida): Located south of Sargent, this fire is threatening local railroad infrastructure amid Florida's extreme drought conditions.
7. Appalachia Fire (Tennessee): Burning timber north of Ducktown with active uphill runs and flanking. Railroad infrastructure is threatened.
8. Glen Ferris Fire (West Virginia): An active large fire currently being suppressed in the Appalachian region.

Firefighting Efforts

Because the National Preparedness Level remains at 2, local and state crews are largely capable of handling the current volume of fires, though interagency resource sharing is actively underway. Nationwide, there are over 770 wildland firefighting personnel deployed to incidents. Resources—including hand crews, engines, and aviation support—are heavily concentrated in the Southern Area, where the majority of the uncontained large fires are currently burning.

Weather and Fire Conditions

Critical fire weather is a major concern across several regions today.

• Red Flag Warnings: The National Weather Service has issued Red Flag Warnings for 18 counties in southwest and west-central Minnesota. Temperatures in the 70s and 80s, combined with southerly wind gusts and low humidity, have created explosive fire conditions. A Red Flag Warning is also in effect for the Pueblo, Colorado area, where southwest winds are gusting up to 45 mph and relative humidity has plummeted to as low as 7%.
• Predictive Outlook: A potent cold front is expected to sweep through the Midwest on Friday, which will drop temperatures but introduce gusty northwest winds and potential thunderstorms that could complicate fire conditions. Looking ahead, the NIFC's predictive outlook forecasts an above-normal wildfire risk for much of Texas, Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and the southeastern United States through the spring. Additionally, forecasters warn that states like Wyoming and the broader Southwest face an elevated risk for large wildfires heading into midsummer due to moderate-to-severe drought and above-average temperatures.

Information for Concerned Residents and Citizens

With fire season now a year-round reality in many parts of the country, residents must remain vigilant:

• Observe Burn Bans: If you live in areas under Red Flag Warnings (such as Minnesota and Colorado) or severe drought (such as Florida and New Mexico), strictly adhere to local burn bans. Do not engage in any outdoor burning, and check recent burn sites to ensure they are completely extinguished.
• Prevent Sparks: Use extreme caution with activities that can cause sparks near dry vegetation. This includes securing trailer chains so they do not drag on the road, parking vehicles or ATVs on gravel or pavement rather than dry grass, and being cautious with chainsaws and power tools.
• Create Defensible Space: Homeowners, especially those in the wildland-urban interface, should take Firewise steps to protect their properties. Clear dead leaves, debris, and dying tree branches from your roof, gutters, and the immediate 5-foot perimeter around your home to minimize your risk from wildfire.