Daily Wildfire Summary Report
Date: May 19, 2026

National Overview

As of May 19, 2026, the National Preparedness Level sits at Level 2 (on a scale of 1 to 5). This indicates that while multiple geographic areas are experiencing wildland fire activity and there are several uncontained large fires nationwide, national resources are currently sufficient to manage the incidents without severe strain.

The 2026 fire season is proving to be exceptionally active and is tracking significantly above historical norms. Year-to-date, 26,568 fires have burned more than 1.9 million acres across the United States. To provide context, this is nearly double the 10-year average for this time of year (which typically sees around 17,700 fires and 1 million acres burned). By this same date in 2025, the U.S. had recorded roughly 1.08 million acres burned. Forecasters attribute this aggressive early fire season to persistent drought—with over 60% of the country experiencing drought conditions—critically dry vegetation, and an unprecedented early-season heatwave that has severely stressed forests and grasslands.

Significant Wildfire Situations

Over the last 72 hours, dry fuels and high winds have fueled several impactful fires across the country. Here are the most noteworthy active incidents:

1. Sandy Fire (California): Burning in the hills above Simi Valley (Ventura County), this wind-driven fire has consumed approximately 1,386 acres and is 5% contained. Its proximity to suburban neighborhoods prompted evacuation orders for up to 28,000 residents at its peak (now reduced to 17,000) and has destroyed at least one home.
2. Hunggate Fire (Texas): Located in Randall County in the Texas Panhandle, this fire merged with the nearby Chocolate Chip fire and has burned over 34,000 acres. It is currently 40% to 50% contained after prompting evacuations, road closures, and damaging a railroad bridge and several residences.
3. Meade Lake Fire (Kansas): An expansive grass, brush, and timber fire that has scorched over 46,600 acres in Meade County. It remains 0% contained and is exhibiting active fire behavior, threatening numerous structures and energy infrastructure.
4. Sharpe Fire (Oklahoma/Colorado): Burning across the state line, this 28,000-acre fire is 5% contained. The rapid spread prompted the Governor of Colorado to verbally declare a State of Disaster Emergency and forced the closure of 77 miles of U.S. Highway 287.
5. Seven Cabins Fire (New Mexico): Burning in the Capitan Mountain Wilderness of the Lincoln National Forest, this fire has reached nearly 13,000 acres and is 0% contained. It is exhibiting extreme, wind-driven behavior and threatening energy infrastructure, keeping "GO-status" evacuations in place.
6. Road 203 Fire (Nebraska): One of several large Great Plains grassland fires driving up national acreage totals, this fire has burned nearly 35,900 acres.
7. Santa Rosa Island Fire (California): A 16,600-acre (23-square-mile) blaze burning off the Southern California coast. It has forced the evacuation of National Park Service employees, destroyed structures, and is threatening rare, exclusive ecological resources.
8. Flanders & Stewart Trail Fires (Minnesota): These fires prompted Governor Tim Walz to declare a peacetime emergency and mobilize the National Guard. The Stewart Trail fire has resulted in 34 structures lost, while the Flanders fire has burned roughly 1,700 acres, triggering local evacuations.

Firefighting Efforts

To combat the widespread fire activity, nearly 2,000 to 2,400 firefighting personnel are currently assigned to incidents across the country. According to the latest Incident Management Situation Report (IMSR) from the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), there are currently 16 to 22 uncontained large fires burning nationwide. Resources deployed include ground crews, engines, helicopters, and one Complex Incident Management Team (CIMT) to support regional, multi-agency response efforts.

Weather and Fire Conditions

Fire weather remains a critical concern for the days ahead. The NIFC predictive outlook indicates that above-normal significant fire potential will persist across much of the West, Southwest, and Southeast.

• The Southwest and Southern Plains: Red flag warnings remain active across the Navajo Nation, northern Arizona, and the broader desert Southwest. Breezy southwest winds of 15-25 mph (gusting up to 35 mph) combined with critically low relative humidity (5-15%) and temperatures near 100°F are creating elevated-to-critical fire conditions from eastern New Mexico into the Texas Panhandle.
• Great Plains and Upper Midwest: Breezy west winds of 20-30 mph (with gusts up to 45 mph) are expected across Montana and Wyoming, moving eastward into the Upper Great Lakes. Minimum relative humidity will fall to 10-25%, creating critical conditions.

These hot, dry, and windy conditions make firefighting incredibly difficult by encouraging wind-driven runs and short-range spotting (where embers are blown ahead of the main fire to start new blazes). Communities in these regions should be highly concerned about the potential for rapid fire spread, as any new spark can quickly escalate into a major incident.

Information for Concerned Residents and Citizens

May is National Wildfire Awareness Month. Because the vast majority of wildfires in the United States are human-caused, they are highly preventable.

• Prevent Sparks: Take simple precautions such as avoiding parking vehicles on dry grass, ensuring trailer chains are not dragging on the pavement, and strictly following all local burn bans and fire restrictions.
• Prepare Your Home: Wildfire resilience is a year-round effort. Prepare your home by clearing dead vegetation from around your property and ensuring your roof and gutters are free of dry debris to resist ember exposure.
• Stay Ready: If you live in a fire-prone area or the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI), have an evacuation plan ready. The rapid evacuations seen in Southern California this week are a reminder that a wildfire emergency can happen at a moment's notice. Sign up for local emergency text alerts and keep a "go-bag" packed with essential documents, medications, and supplies.