Puerto Rico Fires

Daily Wildfire Report for Puerto Rico - June 23, 2026

Overview

Puerto Rico is currently navigating the tail end of its traditional 17-week peak fire season, which typically begins in mid-January. While the island is experiencing underlying hydrological deficits—with nearly 49% of the United States and Puerto Rico classified under varying degrees of drought by the U.S. Drought Monitor—recent and forecasted precipitation is helping to mitigate immediate widespread wildfire threats. The current National Preparedness Level is 2, indicating that national resources are managing steady but moderate fire activity across the broader United States.

Current Situation

Fire Activity: Wildland fire activity across Puerto Rico is currently at normal to below-normal levels for this time of year. Over the last 72 hours, satellite monitoring has detected only a minimal number of isolated thermal anomalies, consistent with historical averages. Local fire crews remain on normal patrol and response status, addressing any small brush or grass fires quickly before they can spread.

Key Fires:
There are currently no significant, large-scale wildfires threatening communities or critical infrastructure in Puerto Rico. Over the last 72 hours, local firefighters have successfully contained a few minor, isolated brush fires. These small starts have been primarily fueled by dry tropical grasses and fine brush, particularly in the more arid southern and southwestern coastal plains. Initial attack crews have kept acres burned to an absolute minimum, with no significant values or personnel at risk.

Prescribed Burns and Land Management: Land management agencies continue to emphasize the importance of maintaining fire breaks and defensible space, especially in drought-prone southern and western municipalities. Residents and landowners are encouraged to complete necessary brush clearing and fire control measures to manage fuel loads before the hotter, drier periods of the late summer.
Air Quality: Air quality across the island remains generally good regarding wildfire smoke. There are no significant smoke impacts from local fires, though residents should remain aware of occasional Saharan dust events typical for this time of year, which can periodically lower air quality and affect sensitive groups.

Weather and Wind Warnings

Current Weather: Current conditions across the island feature temperatures in the upper 70s to high 80s, with high relative humidity averaging around 80%. Partly sunny skies are present, with scattered showers aiding in keeping fine fuels moist and lowering ignition probabilities.
Forecasted Weather: Over the next 72 hours, scattered to heavy thunderstorms are forecast across the island, with rain chances increasing to 45-60% in many areas. High temperatures will remain in the mid-80s to low 90s. Due to the high humidity and expected precipitation, there are currently no Red Flag Warnings or critical fire weather watches in effect for Puerto Rico.

Recommendations

Public Awareness: Residents, particularly those in the drier southern and western regions (such as Ponce, Guánica, and Mayagüez), are advised to maintain defensible space by clearing dead brush and vegetation from around their properties. Even with recent rains, underlying drought conditions mean that brief dry spells can quickly elevate fire risks in grassy fuels.
Resource Allocation: Local fire departments and emergency management personnel remain in a state of readiness. Firefighters are utilizing this period of lower fire behavior to conduct training, maintain equipment, and execute fuel mitigation assessments for the remainder of the year.

Resources

For up-to-date emergency information, residents can visit:
National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC): www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn
Puerto Rico Emergency Management Bureau (PREMA): manejodeemergencias.pr.gov

Stay informed and prepared by monitoring these resources regularly.