2026 wildfire season hits 10-year high
Jenn Jordan
ByJenn Jordan,Daniel ConnellandMadie Homan•
September 17, 2026Updated: September 17, 2026, 6:01 am EDTPublished: September 16, 2026, 5:44 pm EDT

The 2026 U.S. wildfire season is on track to be the largest by square miles burned in at least a decade, with roughly 13,200 square miles, nearly the sizes of Maryland and Rhode Island, burned so far. Oregon is having a record-breaking season of its own, with about 4,000 square miles burned. The one bright spot is Alaska, which is seeing its quietest fire season in decades.

Loading comments...