Wildfires in the United States today
So far in 2026, 3,243,965 hectares have burned in the United States — 41% below the 20-year average. Right now 102 wildfires are burning.
3,243,965 hectares so far this year, 41% below the average. Out of the 26 countries the European system tracks, the United States ranks 12th for area burned relative to its average.
Named fires in California, United States
Detailed reports with satellite imagery and data.
Burning right now “Contained” doesn’t mean out. It’s the share of the perimeter where crews stopped the spread. In most of Europe it isn’t published; “not held back yet” is an official 0%.
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About wildfires in California
California is one of the most wildfire-prone regions in the world, with fire season now extending nearly year-round due to climate change. The state's combination of hot, dry summers, Santa Ana and Diablo winds, drought conditions, and extensive wildland-urban interface creates extreme fire risk.
Recent years have brought unprecedented destruction: the 2018 Camp Fire killed 85 people and destroyed the town of Paradise; the 2020 August Complex Fire became the largest in state history at over 1 million acres; and the 2025 Palisades Fire devastated Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles County. CAL FIRE responds to thousands of wildfires annually.
Our real-time tracker monitors every fire hotspot detected by NASA satellites across all 58 California counties, providing critical situational awareness during fire season.
Today across the United States
Sixty-seven fires are still burning in United States, covering some 869,055 hectares between them. The biggest by far is the Crosswhite Fire, at around 138,776 hectares. Nine more broke out over the past week.
It is a moderate year. United States has lost 3,321,900 hectares so far, well below the usual 5,481,249 hectares — the 12th worst figure among the 26 countries Copernicus tracks.
Around the Crosswhite Fire it is cool and humid, with very light wind and no rain in sight.
Updated 4 Oct
California wildfire season
California's wildfire season traditionally ran from summer into fall, but hotter, drier conditions have stretched it toward year-round. Inland and northern forests burn most between June and October, while the most destructive fires often strike in autumn and early winter, when hurricane-force Santa Ana and Diablo winds push flames through dry brush and into neighborhoods.
CAL FIRE and local agencies track conditions daily, and "red flag warnings" from the National Weather Service signal when wind and low humidity make rapid fire spread likely.
Notable wildfires in history
- 2025 Palisades & Eaton Fires
Wind-driven January fires tore through Los Angeles County, destroying thousands of homes in Pacific Palisades and Altadena in one of the costliest wildfire disasters in U.S. history.
- 2021 Dixie Fire
The Dixie Fire burned nearly 1 million acres across five northern counties and destroyed the town of Greenville — one of the largest single fires in state history.
- 2020 August Complex
California's first "gigafire" scorched over 1 million acres during a record-breaking 2020 season that produced five of the state's six largest fires ever.
- 2018 Camp Fire
The Camp Fire destroyed the town of Paradise and killed 85 people — the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history.
- 2017 Tubbs Fire
The Tubbs Fire swept into Santa Rosa's Wine Country neighborhoods overnight, killing 22 people and destroying more than 5,600 structures.
Main causes & risk factors
- Santa Ana and Diablo winds that drive fast-moving autumn fires
- Prolonged drought and record-breaking heat waves
- Dense fuel buildup after a century of fire suppression
- A sprawling wildland-urban interface where homes meet dry brush
- Aging power lines and equipment sparking ignitions
- A lengthening fire season driven by climate change
Safety & preparedness
- Follow CAL FIRE's "Ready, Set, Go!" plan and leave early when told
- Sign up for county emergency alerts and know your evacuation zones
- Keep a go bag with documents, medications, water, and N95 masks
- Clear defensible space of at least 100 feet around your home where required
- Track the Air Quality Index and stay indoors during heavy smoke
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Frequently asked questions
When is wildfire season in California?
Peak activity runs roughly June through October, but wind-driven fires in fall and early winter are often the most destructive — and fires can now occur in almost any month.
What causes most California wildfires?
A mix of extreme heat, drought, dense vegetation, and strong seasonal winds, with many ignitions traced to power lines, equipment, and human activity.
What were California's worst wildfires?
The 2018 Camp Fire (deadliest), the 2020 August Complex (largest), the 2017 Tubbs Fire, and the 2025 Palisades and Eaton fires rank among the most destructive.
How often does this California fire map update?
It draws on NASA's FIRMS satellite data, which refreshes several times a day as VIIRS sensors detect new hotspots across all 58 counties.
Is the California wildfire map free?
Yes — it's completely free and needs no sign-up. You can watch active fires across California and the world in real time.