Here is your daily wildfire summary report for the United States, reflecting the current situation as of Tuesday, May 12, 2026.

National Overview

According to the latest data from the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), the 2026 wildfire season is off to an aggressive start. Year-to-date statistics show that 25,560 fires have burned 1,881,436 acres nationwide. This marks a significant increase compared to previous years, with the acreage burned currently sitting at nearly twice the 10-year average.

The National Preparedness Level is currently at Level 2 (on a scale of 1 to 5). At this level, active geographic areas may require national support to accomplish incident management objectives, but resource capability remains stable enough nationally to sustain current incident operations. The Southern Area of the U.S. is currently experiencing the highest level of fire activity.

Significant Wildfire Situations

Over the last 72 hours, the most impactful and noteworthy wildfire activity has been concentrated in the Southeast and the Southwest. Key fires include:

1. Florida Everglades Fire (Florida): Ignited on Sunday, May 11, this fire has quickly burned over 11,000 acres in the Everglades amid exceptional drought conditions. It is currently 50% contained. Smoke has caused significant traffic backups along U.S. 27.
2. Pineland Road Fire (Georgia): One of the largest fires of the year, burning 32,575 acres in Clinch County. Fire crews have made excellent progress, reaching 70% containment.
3. South Canal Fire (Florida): This fire has exhibited highly active behavior over the last few days, including wind-driven runs and long-range spotting, threatening local infrastructure.
4. Sparks Fire (New Mexico): Burning in the Las Vegas District, this fire has reached 6,000 acres and is currently 85% contained.
5. Hummingbird Fire (New Mexico): Located in the Gila National Forest, this fire has burned 5,650 acres and is 76% contained. Recent precipitation has helped moderate fire behavior in the area.
6. AFM - Hazen Fire (Arizona): Burning in Maricopa County, this fire has reached 1,191 acres and is 78% contained.
7. Lochloosa West Fire (Florida): Located in Alachua County, this fire has burned 956 acres and is 65% contained.

Firefighting Efforts

Thousands of federal, state, and local wildland firefighters are currently deployed across the country. Because the National Preparedness Level is at Level 2, the mobilization of resources is currently manageable, and there is a low-to-moderate probability that drawing down resources from non-active geographic areas will pose a risk. The U.S. Forest Service and interagency partners are heavily focused on initial attack strategies to keep new ignitions as small as possible.

Weather and Fire Conditions

A warm, dry spring has set the stage for above-average significant wildland fire risk across much of the southern and western United States.

• The Southeast: The state of Florida is currently 100% covered by drought, with 98% of the state experiencing conditions worse than a moderate drought. However, a cold front is pushing through the state today, bringing a marginal risk of severe storms. While rain will be beneficial, sudden heavy downpours over drought-stricken soils could lead to localized flash flooding.
• The Southwest and West: Dry fuels and gusty winds continue to create challenging conditions for firefighters in Arizona, New Mexico, and Southern California. NIFC's predictive outlook indicates that above-normal fire potential will persist across much of the West through August due to low winter snowpack and record-breaking dry conditions earlier in the year.

Information for Concerned Residents and Citizens

May is Wildfire Awareness Month, serving as a critical reminder that nearly 85% of wildfires in the United States are human-caused and entirely preventable. As temperatures rise and conditions dry out, the public is urged to take the following precautions:

• Vehicle Safety: Always check tow chains to ensure they are secure; a single spark from a dragging chain can ignite dry grass. Never pull your vehicle off the road into tall, dry vegetation, as the hot undercarriage can easily start a fire. Check your tire pressure, as blowouts are a known cause of roadside fires.
• Recreation: Follow all local fire restrictions and burn bans. If you are having a campfire in a permitted area, ensure it is fully extinguished and cold to the touch before you leave.
• Health and Safety: If you live near active fires, such as the Everglades Fire in Florida, avoid driving through heavy smoke and keep your windows closed to protect your indoor air quality.

For real-time, incident-specific details and evacuation notices, please monitor your local emergency management channels and visit InciWeb (inciweb.wildfire.gov).