Here is the daily wildfire summary report for August 22, 2026.

National Overview

The United States is currently at National Preparedness Level 5 (PL 5), the highest level of wildland fire response. Reaching PL 5 indicates that national firefighting resources are heavily committed across multiple geographic areas, and there is a high potential for additional large, complex wildfires to emerge. At this level, resources are stretched thin, and national coordination centers are actively prioritizing the deployment of crews, aircraft, and heavy equipment to the most critical areas to protect life and property.

The 2026 fire season has proven to be exceptionally severe and is running substantially ahead of recent years. According to the latest daily report from the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), firefighters have responded to 50,077 wildfires that have burned more than 7.6 million acres across the United States so far this year. This represents 129% of the 10-year average for the number of fires and a staggering 171% of the 10-year average for acres burned.

Significant Wildfire Situations

Over the last 72 hours, the Western U.S.—particularly the Pacific Northwest—has continued to dominate the nation's wildfire activity. There are currently over 75 large, uncontained fires burning nationwide. Here is a summary of the most impactful and noteworthy fires and regions:

1. Big Grass Fire (Oregon/Idaho): The largest fire in the nation has burned over 578,000 acres across the Oregon-Idaho border. It is currently 71% contained, but its massive footprint continues to require significant attention.
2. Sinlahekin Fire (Washington): Burning near Tonasket, this fire has consumed over 154,000 acres and is 44% contained. It has been highly destructive, with at least 35 structures reported destroyed, and continues to threaten critical infrastructure.
3. Little Giant Fire (Washington): Located in Chelan County, this fire has burned over 137,000 acres and is only 10% contained. It has destroyed 26 structures and prompted significant military and interagency resource deployments.
4. Three Queens Fire (Washington): Burning east of Snoqualmie Pass, this fire is exhibiting active behavior with group torching and uphill runs. It has triggered Level 3 (Go Now) evacuation orders and threatens numerous structures.
5. Crosswhite Fire (Oregon): A massive incident in Wheeler County that has burned over 345,000 acres. Firefighters have made excellent progress, reaching 87% containment.
6. Grasshopper Fire (Oregon): Located in the Mt. Hood National Forest, this fire is exhibiting extreme behavior with uphill runs and group torching. It is threatening numerous residences and has forced active evacuations and road closures.
7. Kaiser Canyon Fire (Washington): Burning in Okanogan County, this fire has scorched over 138,000 acres and is 83% contained.
8. Tartar Fire (Idaho): This large fire in Washington County has burned roughly 158,000 acres but is now 98% contained following successful suppression efforts.
9. Tongue Fire (Montana): A rapidly developing new fire in Big Horn County that has consumed 500 acres of private land in less than a day, highlighting the extreme vulnerability of dry fuels in the region.
10. Wrights Spring Fire (Oregon): Burning in the Fremont-Winema National Forest, this fire is making active uphill runs and spotting, threatening critical infrastructure and prompting new evacuation orders.

Firefighting Efforts

The sheer scale of the 2026 fire season has required a massive, coordinated mobilization of resources. Currently, there are 24,265 personnel assigned to wildfire incidents nationwide. This includes 491 hand crews, 1,265 engines, and 184 helicopters deployed across the country, managed by 20 Complex Incident Management Teams.

Due to the heavy domestic commitment, international and military support has been activated. Three 15-member incident management teams and 270 fireline personnel from Australia and New Zealand are currently deployed to support operations in the Northwest and Great Basin. Additionally, 240 soldiers from the U.S. Army's 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment (Joint Base Lewis-McChord) are actively deployed on the Little Giant fire in Washington. Multiple MAFFS (Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System) C-130 airtankers from the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard are also flying suppression missions out of Oregon and California.

Weather and Fire Conditions

Fire weather conditions over the coming days will make suppression efforts incredibly challenging. A high-pressure system continues to amplify over the Western U.S., bringing drying and warming conditions. Inland parts of the Pacific Northwest are expecting temperatures 10 to 15 degrees above normal. Highs in the 90s and lower 100s are forecast across the western half of the country, possibly reaching the 110s in southeast California and western Arizona.

These hot temperatures will coincide with dangerously low relative humidity levels in the single digits and teens. Gusty afternoon winds are expected throughout the Great Basin and southeast Oregon, which will support rapid fire growth. In the Desert Southwest, lingering monsoonal moisture will result in scattered afternoon thunderstorms, bringing the risk of erratic downdraft winds and new lightning-caused fire starts.

Further east, unwavering heat across the Southern Plains and Southeast (peaking between 90°F and 110°F) combined with dry fuels and expected thunderstorms raises the risk of new fire ignitions in those regions as well.

Information for Concerned Residents and Citizens

With resources stretched to their absolute limits, public cooperation is vital.

• Stay Informed: Sign up for local emergency alerts (such as PublicAlerts) and monitor your local sheriff's office or emergency management dashboard for real-time evacuation maps and road closures.
• Understand Evacuation Levels: Familiarize yourself with the three-tier system: Level 1 (Ready), Level 2 (Set), and Level 3 (GO NOW). If you are in a high-risk area, pack a "go bag" with essentials so you can leave immediately if an order is issued.
• Prevent Accidental Sparks: The vast majority of new fires are human-caused. Avoid any outdoor activities that could produce a spark. Target shooting is currently a major hazard; metal targets are notorious for causing sparks in dry grass. Keep a fire extinguisher and water nearby if you are operating machinery or vehicles off-road.
• Drone Safety: Never fly a drone near an active wildfire. Drone incursions force firefighting aircraft to be grounded, putting firefighters and communities at severe risk.

For real-time, incident-specific details, please visit InciWeb (inciweb.wildfire.gov) or the National Interagency Fire Center (nifc.gov).