New Hampshire Fires

Daily Wildfire Report for New Hampshire - April 20, 2026

Overview

New Hampshire is currently experiencing an elevated fire risk due to a historically dry start to the year. From January through March 2026, the state recorded its sixth driest first quarter since recordkeeping began in 1895. Currently, 78% of the state is classified as experiencing moderate to severe drought, affecting roughly half of the state's population. The combination of a lack of precipitation, lingering leaf litter, and dry vegetation before the spring green-up has created highly conducive conditions for wildfires.

Current Situation

Fire Activity: Over the past 72 hours, fire officials have noted a heightened threat of spring initial-attack brush fires across the state. Following a challenging 2025 fire season that saw a 27.6% increase in the number of wildfires and a 16.8% increase in acres burned, local agencies are actively monitoring the wildland-urban interface (WUI), where homes intermix with flammable wildland fuels.

Key Fires:

• Spring Brush Fires (Statewide): While there are currently no large-scale mega-fires threatening communities, numerous smaller brush fires are active across the state. These fires are primarily being fed by dormant, over-wintered surface fuels, dead leaves, and dry grass. Firefighters are actively responding to these incidents to prevent them from spreading into heavier timber or threatening structures.

Prescribed Burns and Land Management: The White Mountain National Forest is conducting prescribed fire operations this month to maintain open grass and shrub habitats for wildlife and to reduce overgrown vegetation that could fuel future wildfires. Additionally, the N.H. Forest Protection Bureau is planning a 20-acre prescribed burn at Blue Job State Forest in Farmington to reduce forest fuels like shrubs and grasses, and to reinvigorate local blueberry habitats.

Air Quality: Residents near the White Mountain National Forest and Blue Job State Forest may experience localized smoke during prescribed burn operations. Drivers are advised to slow down and use headlights if they encounter smoke on the roadways.

Weather and Wind Warnings

Current Weather: Dry conditions persist across much of the state, with lingering drought impacts keeping surface fuels highly receptive to ignition.
Forecasted Weather: A Red Flag Warning is in effect for parts of the region due to critical fire weather conditions. The forecast calls for mostly sunny skies, strong gusty winds reaching 35 to 45 mph, and relative humidity dropping as low as 29 percent. These strong winds and low humidity levels mean that any fires that ignite will have the potential to spread rapidly.

Recommendations

Public Awareness: To highlight the elevated risk, the state has designated mid-April as Wildfire Awareness Week. Residents are urged to be mindful of fire danger and to clear dead brush, leaves, and lingering debris from their properties to reduce the risk of structural damage. Human activity, including open debris burning, is a leading cause of wildfires in New Hampshire.
Resource Allocation: State law requires anyone planning an outdoor fire—unless the ground is covered with snow—to obtain a written fire permit. Permits are being strictly monitored and are only issued by local fire departments or online on days when the daily fire danger rating is deemed safe.

Resources

For up-to-date emergency information, residents can visit:
National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC): www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn
New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands: nhdfl.dncr.nh.gov
New Hampshire Online Fire Permitting: nhfirepermit.com

Stay informed and prepared by monitoring these resources regularly.