Daily Wildfire Situation Report
Date: May 15, 2026

This report provides a high-level summary of the current wildfire situation across the United States, utilizing data from the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) and other trusted monitoring agencies over the last 72 hours.

National Overview

The National Preparedness Level is currently set at Level 2 (PL 2). This indicates that while active geographic areas may require national support to accomplish incident management objectives, resource capability remains stable enough nationally to sustain current operations.

So far this year, the United States has seen significant fire activity. Nationally, 25,560 fires have burned more than 1.88 million acres. This figure is notably above the 10-year average for acres burned to date, driven largely by early-season activity in the Southern Area.

Fire officials and meteorologists are increasingly shifting away from the term "fire season" in favor of "fire year," as wildfires have become a constant, year-round risk. A combination of worsening drought—currently affecting nearly 63% of the country—and far-below-normal winter snowpack in the West (such as California's snowpack sitting at just 14% of average) has created highly vulnerable landscapes. Repeated cycles of rain followed by dry periods have also led to heavy grass crops that dry out and create "haystack" fuel conditions, allowing fires to burn intensely once ignited.

Significant Wildfire Situations

Over the last 72 hours, there have been 13 uncontained large fires actively burning across the country. The Southern Area continues to experience the highest level of activity. Below is a summary of the most impactful and noteworthy fires:

1. Pineland Road Fire (Georgia): The largest active fire in the country, burning 32,575 acres in Clinch County. It is currently 90% contained, though structures remain threatened and local area closures are in effect.
2. Hwy 82 Fire (Georgia): Burning 22,471 acres in Brantley County, this major fire is currently 85% contained.
3. Hummingbird Fire (New Mexico): Located in the Gila National Forest, this fire has burned 5,650 acres. Recent precipitation has helped moderate fire behavior, bringing containment to 60%.
4. Pine Mountain Fire (Oregon): Burning in the Deschutes National Forest, this fire has reached 2,589 acres.
5. Cow Creek Fire (Florida): Burning 2,364 acres of timber and southern rough in Levy County. The fire is 60% contained, but structures are threatened and trail closures are active.
6. South Canal Fire (Florida): Burning 2,200 acres in Lafayette County. It has exhibited highly active fire behavior, including wind-driven runs and long-range spotting.
7. Canyon Fire (California): A 2,000-acre fire burning in Kern County, currently at 20% containment.
8. Spread Creek Fire (Wyoming): Located northeast of Jackson, this fire is exhibiting active behavior with group torching and short crown runs. Residences in the area are threatened.
9. Jones Fire (Arizona): Though smaller at over 100 acres, this fire near Wickenburg had a high community impact, forcing local evacuations and the closure of U.S. Route 60 earlier this week.
10. Tomahawk Lake Fire (Michigan): A notable regional fire that burned 190 acres of state-managed land, including a blueberry bog and jack pine stands. Rare for the area, it is now 100% contained following recent rainfall.

Firefighting Efforts

Firefighters and support personnel are working aggressively across local, state, and federal agencies to respond quickly and keep new ignitions small. According to the latest NIFC Incident Management Situation Report, there are currently 1,683 total personnel deployed to active incidents nationwide.

Resource deployments include:

• 23 Wildland Fire Crews
• 135 Fire Engines
• 21 Helicopters

Weather and Fire Conditions

Fire weather remains a critical concern for containment efforts. Currently, there is a Critical Fire Weather Risk in place for eastern Montana and western North Dakota.

Looking ahead, the NIFC's predictive outlook warns of above-normal significant fire potential across much of the West and Southeast. In May, this risk is heavily concentrated in eastern Arizona, western New Mexico, and the Southeast (including Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas). Moving into June and July, the elevated risk will expand into western Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Northern California due to early snowmelt exposing dry forest fuels. Communities in these regions should be on high alert for Red Flag Warnings, which indicate that warm temperatures, very low humidities, and stronger winds are expected to combine to produce an increased risk of fire danger.

Information for Concerned Residents and Citizens

May is National Wildfire Awareness Month, serving as a critical reminder that preparedness saves lives and property. Nearly 85% of wildfires in the United States are human-caused and entirely preventable.

• Prevent Ignitions: As conditions dry out, residents are urged to take simple precautions. Check trailer chains to ensure they aren't dragging and sparking on the pavement, fully extinguish all campfires until they are cold to the touch, and strictly obey local burn bans and fire restrictions.
• Stay Informed: For real-time, incident-specific details, maps, and evacuation notices, residents should monitor InciWeb (the federal incident information system) and their local county emergency management alerts.
• Prepare Your Home: If you live in a fire-prone area, create defensible space around your property by clearing dead brush, leaves, and debris. Have a "go-bag" packed and an evacuation plan ready for your family and pets.