United States Wildfires Map
Wildfire statistics · the United States
In 2026, 2,909,844 hectares have burned in the United States — 47% below the 20-year average. 115 named wildfires are currently active.
Named fires in the United States
Detailed reports with satellite imagery and data.
See all named fires in the United States →
About wildfires in United States
The United States experiences thousands of wildfires annually, with the western states bearing the brunt of increasingly severe fire seasons. From California and Oregon to Colorado and Montana, rising temperatures, prolonged drought, and decades of fire suppression have created conditions for larger, more destructive fires.
Federal agencies including the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), USDA Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management coordinate the nation's wildfire response. The US spends billions of dollars annually on wildfire suppression, with costs continuing to rise as fire seasons grow longer and more intense.
The impact reaches far beyond the flames: wildfire smoke now routinely degrades air quality across entire states, and the wildland-urban interface — where neighborhoods meet flammable vegetation — has become the fastest-growing risk zone in the country. The live map below shows every active hotspot NASA satellites detect across all 50 states, refreshed throughout the day.
United States wildfire season
Wildfire season in the United States generally stretches from late spring through fall, but the timing shifts sharply by region. Across the West — California, the Pacific Northwest, and the Rocky Mountains — activity usually peaks between June and October, when heat, drought, and cured vegetation line up. The Southeast, by contrast, sees most of its fires in late winter and spring.
In recent years the season has grown longer on both ends, and significant fires are now recorded in nearly every month somewhere in the country. The National Interagency Fire Center publishes seasonal outlooks that flag when and where fire potential is running above normal.
Notable wildfires in history
- 2023 Maui (Lahaina) Fire
Wind-driven fires on the Hawaiian island of Maui destroyed the historic town of Lahaina and killed more than 100 people — the deadliest U.S. wildfire in over a century.
- 2021 Dixie Fire
California's Dixie Fire burned nearly 1 million acres across five counties and leveled the town of Greenville, becoming one of the largest single fires in state history.
- 2020 August Complex
California's August Complex became the state's first "gigafire," burning over 1 million acres during a record-shattering 2020 season.
- 2018 Camp Fire
The Camp Fire destroyed the town of Paradise, California, killing 85 people — the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in state history.
Main causes & risk factors
- Prolonged drought and record heat driven by a warming climate
- Decades of fire suppression that let dense fuel build up in forests
- Rapid expansion of homes into the wildland-urban interface (WUI)
- Human ignitions — power lines, equipment, vehicles, and escaped campfires
- Dry lightning storms across the West
- Strong seasonal winds such as California's Santa Ana and Diablo winds
Safety & preparedness
- Sign up for local emergency alerts and know your evacuation zones and routes
- Keep a "go bag" ready with documents, medications, water, and N95 masks
- Create defensible space by clearing dry vegetation at least 30 feet around your home
- Watch your local Air Quality Index (AQI) and limit outdoor time during smoke events
- Never wait out an evacuation order — leave early when conditions turn dangerous
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Frequently asked questions
How many wildfires does the United States have each year?
The U.S. averages roughly 60,000–70,000 wildfires per year, burning around 7 million acres — though totals swing widely with drought and weather.
Which U.S. states have the most wildfires?
California, Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma, and the Pacific Northwest states consistently report the most fires. California accounts for many of the largest and most destructive.
When is wildfire season in the United States?
In most of the country peak season runs June through October. The Southeast peaks in late winter and spring, and parts of the West now see fire activity nearly year-round.
Where does this map's fire data come from?
Every hotspot comes from NASA's FIRMS system, which uses VIIRS satellite sensors to detect active fires worldwide and refreshes several times a day.
Is this wildfire map free to use?
Yes — Current Wildfires is completely free and needs no sign-up. You can track active fires across the U.S. and the world in real time.