Puerto Rico Fires

Daily Wildfire Report for Puerto Rico - August 11, 2026

Overview

Puerto Rico is experiencing an elevated fire risk due to an unusually severe drought, characterized by months of record-low rainfall, extreme heat, and breezy conditions. July was the driest July recorded in San Juan in over 120 years, leaving nearly 25% of the island in a severe drought and approximately 36% in a moderate drought. This combination of factors has created critically dry fuels and highly volatile conditions for wildfires across the territory.
The current National Preparedness Level for the nation is 5, indicating that National wildland firefighting resources are heavily committed.

Current Situation

Fire Activity: There is currently significant wildland fire activity occurring across Puerto Rico. The situation recently escalated to the point where the Governor of Puerto Rico declared a state of emergency and activated the National Guard to assist with the crisis. More than 1,000 wildfires are currently reported to be burning across the island. Firefighters and emergency management personnel are working aggressively to contain these fires while also managing the impacts of extreme heat and a severe water shortage.

Key Fires:
While specific incident names and exact acreage for individual fires are currently being assessed by local authorities, over 1,000 wildfires are actively burning across the island. These fires are primarily fueled by critically dry grasses, brush, and drought-stressed coastal vegetation. The extreme drought conditions across the southern coastal plains and interior municipalities are exacerbating fire behavior, threatening local communities, and straining emergency resources.

Prescribed Burns and Land Management: Due to the critical fire weather, severe drought, and the active state of emergency, routine prescribed burns and land management activities are strictly paused. The National Weather Service and local authorities strongly advise against any outdoor burning, as conditions are highly favorable for rapid wildfire ignition and spread.

Air Quality: Smoke from the numerous active wildfires, combined with regional Saharan dust patterns expected to linger through late August, is impacting air quality across the island. Sensitive groups should stay indoors and follow medical recommendations.

Weather and Wind Warnings

Current Weather: Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands continue to experience hot, dry, and breezy conditions. A Heat Advisory remains in effect for urban and coastal areas, with high temperatures and humidity increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses.

Forecasted Weather: A Red Flag Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service in San Juan for fire weather zones 014 and 027, with the highest threat concentrated between Guánica and Cabo Rojo. A broader Fire Danger Statement is also active through the afternoon. Critical fuel conditions persist, with easterly winds around 15 to 25 mph and gusts up to 35 mph. Relative humidity values have dropped significantly below the 55% threshold, reaching 40 to 50 percent in some areas. These conditions mean that any new fire ignitions will have the potential to spread rapidly.

Recommendations

Public Awareness: Residents are urged to remain alert, avoid areas with heavy smoke, and strictly follow any evacuation or safety instructions from emergency personnel. Due to the severe water crisis, rotating water rationing is in effect for over 180,000 customers in San Juan and surrounding municipalities (including Carolina, Trujillo Alto, Canóvanas, Loíza, Juncos, and Gurabo). Some communities may be without running water for up to 48 hours at a time, making it crucial to conserve water responsibly.

Resource Allocation: The Puerto Rico National Guard has been activated to assist in the emergency response and water distribution. Agencies are working under highly challenging conditions with a severe water-supply crisis, extreme heat, and a less-than-ideal availability of national resources due to the current National Preparedness Level of 5.

Resources

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

Stay informed and prepared by monitoring these resources regularly.