West Virginia Fires

Daily Wildfire Report for West Virginia - June 12, 2026

Overview

West Virginia is currently experiencing a period of low wildfire danger following the official end of the spring forest fire season on May 31. Recent weather patterns over the past 72 hours have brought widespread showers, thunderstorms, and high humidity to the region, thoroughly dampening potential fuel sources. The current National Preparedness Level for the region is 2, indicating that national and state resources are well-equipped to handle current incident objectives without heavy strain.

Current Situation

Fire Activity: There are currently no major active wildfires burning in West Virginia. During the recently concluded spring fire season (March 1 to May 31), state foresters and volunteer fire departments responded to 691 fires that burned 8,164 acres—a figure that is considered average to slightly above average for the state. With the recent heavy rainfall, the immediate threat of new significant wildfire starts is currently below normal.

Key Fires: At this time, there are no significant large-scale wildfires threatening communities or values at risk in West Virginia. When fires do ignite in the state during the summer months, they are typically fueled by hardwood leaf litter, dry brush, and downed timber. Thanks to recent precipitation, these fuel beds are currently saturated, drastically lowering their flammability and limiting the potential for rapid fire spread.

Prescribed Burns and Land Management: With the transition into summer, large-scale prescribed burning has largely paused. State forestry officials are now focusing on monitoring, investigating human-caused fires from the spring, and preparing for the fall fire season. Summer burning rules went into effect on June 1; while daytime burning restrictions have been lifted, strict safety regulations remain enforced.

Air Quality: There are no active air quality alerts related to wildfire smoke in West Virginia. The air quality remains good across the state, unimpacted by local or regional fire activity.

Weather and Wind Warnings

Current Weather: Over the last 72 hours, West Virginia and surrounding areas have experienced heavy showers and thunderstorms. These storms have brought localized threats of damaging winds and heavy downpours. Humidity levels have remained high, with daytime temperatures in the mid-80s and nighttime lows in the upper 60s.

Forecasted Weather: There are no Red Flag Warnings in effect. The forecast for the upcoming days indicates that the air will remain muggy with daily chances of scattered strong to severe thunderstorms continuing through the weekend. The National Weather Service warns that the main threats from these storms will be damaging wind gusts that could knock down trees and power lines, along with heavy downpours that could cause localized flash flooding.

Recommendations

Public Awareness: Residents are reminded that while summer burn laws allow burning at any time of the day, strict safety measures are still required. Any outdoor fire must be attended at all times until completely extinguished, and a minimum 10-foot safety strip cleared to mineral soil must surround the fire. Officials urge the public not to let the recent rain lull them into a false sense of security, as fuels can dry out quickly during the hot months of July and August.

Resource Allocation: State forestry crews and volunteer fire departments are utilizing this period of low fire behavior to rest, refit equipment, and conduct training following a busy spring season.

Resources

For up-to-date emergency information, residents can visit:
National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC): www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn
West Virginia Division of Forestry: wvforestry.com
West Virginia Emergency Management Division: emd.wv.gov

Stay informed and prepared by monitoring these resources regularly.