As of July, 42,651 have burned more than 4.5 million acres across the United States, representing 130% of the 10-year average number of fires and 146% of the 10-year average number of acres burned.
Though drought conditions are decreasing, at least 38% of the United States and Puerto Rico (45% of the lower 48 states) remain in drought as of July 28. Drought along with high winds create optimal fire conditions.
More than 800 fires are burning in Ontario, Canada, forcing the evacuations of thousands of people.
On July 13, the Namaygoosisagagun (Collins) First Nation in Ontario was urgently evacuated by boat minutes before a fire destroyed the entire community in under an hour.
This year, wildfires in Canada have burned more than 9 million acres.
The “Super El Niño” weather pattern is expected to drive drier, hotter air across the United States in 2026, fueling wildfire conditions as well as driving wildfire smoke into major cities.
Photo: Cottonwood Fire burning in Fishlake National Forest, Beaver, Utah, July 13, 2026. Photo credit: U.S. Forest Service – Fishlake National Forest via Facebook.)
