Daily Wildfire Situation Report
Date: June 16, 2026

This report provides a high-level overview of the current wildfire situation across the United States, focusing on data and developments over the last 72 hours.

National Overview

The National Preparedness Level is currently at Level 2. This indicates that while local resources are generally handling incidents, fire activity is increasing, and some geographic areas are beginning to require national support to manage large fires.

While national fire activity has been relatively light over the past few weeks, the 2026 fire season has had an early and intense start. Year-to-date, 32,373 wildfires have burned over 2.5 million acres nationwide. These figures are well above the 10-year averages of 23,626 fires and 1.43 million acres for this time of year. Driven by widespread drought affecting over 60% of the continental U.S., experts and fire agencies are increasingly referring to 2026 as a "fire year" rather than just a seasonal event.

Significant Wildfire Situations

Over the last 72 hours, several noteworthy fires have required significant emergency responses. Here is a summary of the most impactful active fires:

1. South Fork Fire (Nebraska): Burning in the Nebraska National Forest, this fire has reached 32,818 acres and is 44% contained. Driven by dry fuels and strong winds, it is currently threatening numerous residences, and evacuations remain in place.
2. Bear Fire (New Mexico): Located in the Gila National Forest, this fire has burned over 6,920 acres and is currently 3% contained. It is threatening structures and critical infrastructure, prompting area closures.
3. Tule Fire (Washington): Burning south of Toppenish, this fire has rapidly grown to 5,000 acres and is 0% contained. It is exhibiting extreme fire behavior, including wind-driven uphill runs, and is threatening local energy infrastructure.
4. Highway 730 / Twin Sisters Fire (Washington): This fire has burned 3,638 acres and is 0% contained. Active wind-driven runs are threatening structures and critical infrastructure, prompting a Level 1 "Ready" alert for nearby residents.
5. Juniper Dunes Fire (Washington): Burning in challenging wilderness terrain, this fire has consumed 3,627 acres and is 0% contained. The area has been closed to the public.
6. Kopshesut Fire (Alaska): Located near Ambler, this fire is holding at 1,440 acres and is 80% contained. Firefighters are successfully mopping up hotspots and preparing to demobilize.
7. Clums Fire (Alaska): Ignited by recent lightning strikes northeast of Fairbanks, an aggressive initial attack by smokejumpers and water scoopers successfully contained this fire at 224 acres.
8. Beehive Fire (Colorado): Ignited by lightning, this fire is now 88% contained. Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) teams are currently evaluating the area for post-fire stabilization.
9. Highland Fire (California): Ignited on June 14 in Tuolumne County, this is currently a low-complexity Type 5 incident but remains noteworthy due to extremely dry regional conditions.
10. Box Fire (Arizona): Burning in Saguaro National Park, firefighters are actively working to contain the blaze amid high regional temperatures.

Firefighting Efforts

Nationwide, there are currently 11 uncontained large fires. To combat these blazes, 2,559 personnel are deployed to incidents across the country. This includes one complex incident management team currently committed to the South Fork Fire in Nebraska. Over the last reporting period, wildland fire agencies also responded to 127 new initial attack fires, successfully keeping the vast majority small and contained.

Weather and Fire Conditions

Widespread elevated-to-critical fire weather conditions persist across portions of the Southwest, Great Basin, Rocky Mountain areas, and California.

• Red Flag Warnings & Heat Advisories: Many warnings are in place throughout the country. Temperatures are expected to exceed 100 degrees across central California valleys, Las Vegas, and southern portions of the Southwest.
• Wind and Humidity: Variable winds between 10–15 mph with gusts up to 35 mph, combined with critically low relative humidity values between 5–15%, are expected across the West Slope and central Great Plains.
• Dry Thunderstorms: Critical fire weather is forecast for Southwest Idaho and Eastern Oregon, where wind gusts up to 40 mph and dry thunderstorms are expected to peak. Similarly, Alaska’s Yukon Flats is under a Red Flag Warning following a storm system that delivered over 500 lightning strikes, raising high concerns for "holdover" or sleeper fires that smolder underground before erupting.

Any new fire that develops in these regions will catch and spread rapidly. Firefighters are bracing for increased fire danger in multiple geographic areas in the coming weeks.

Information for Concerned Residents and Citizens

• Stay Informed: Sign up for local emergency alerts and actively monitor the National Weather Service for Red Flag Warnings in your area. Real-time incident details can be found on InciWeb.
• Be Prepared: If you live in a fire-prone area, ensure your "go-bag" is packed and your family has a clear evacuation plan. Higher preparedness levels mean resources are stretched, which can potentially lead to slower response times for new fire starts.
• Prevent Human-Caused Fires: With vegetation critically dry, simple actions can spark a disaster. Avoid parking hot vehicles on dry grass, ensure trailer chains are not dragging, and adhere to all local burn bans and fire restrictions.
• Respect Closures: Do not enter closed public lands or active fire areas, and always follow the immediate instructions of local law enforcement and fire agencies.