The States Burning the Most in 2026, Ranked by Acres Lost

Widespread drought is fueling one of the worst wildfire seasons in recent memory. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, over one-quarter of land area in the United States – including nearly half of the Western U.S. – is in a severe drought or worse. Due to the dangerously dry conditions, which are often exacerbated by extreme heat and high winds, nearly 5.2 million acres nationwide have been consumed by wildfires so far this year, well above the 10-year, year-to-date average of about 3.8 million acres. 

As of August 3, 2026, the National Interagency Fire Center is reporting 102 large wildfires actively burning a cumulative 3.2 million across 15 states – and since July 18, 2026, the NIFC has had a standing National Preparedness Level of 5, the highest PL possible and one rarely ever issued this early in wildfire season. 

Currently, Oregon is struggling with the worst of the ongoing wildfires, with a total of 33 major fires burning across a reported 1.8 million acres. In the neighboring state of Washington, multiple major fires are burning uncontained in the Spokane area. Despite the efforts of nearly 1,000 firefighters, the blazes have destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses, prompted the evacuation of some 60,000 people, and now stand as the worst natural disaster in Spokane’s history. 

Using data from the NIFC, Climate Crisis 247 identified the states hit hardest so far in the 2026 wildfire season. We ranked all states on the total land area destroyed by major active wildfires. Only the 10 most-impacted states are listed. Supplemental data on drought conditions in each state are from the U.S. Drought Monitor and are current as of July 28, 2026. 

10. Wyoming

• Number of active large wildfires in state: 2 (7,549 acres)
• Largest active wildfire in state: Lumin Fire (7,267 acres)
• Lumin Fire details: Located 22 miles east of Sheridan, WY – 50% contained
• Land area in state in severe or worse drought: 83.7% (81,813 square miles)

9. Montana

• Number of active large wildfires in state: 9 (12,234 acres)
• Largest active wildfire in state: Silvertip Fire (6,029 acres)
• Silvertip Fire details: Located 30 miles northeast of Condon, MT – 0% contained
• Land area in state in severe or worse drought: 15.5% (22,805 square miles)

8. California

• Number of active large wildfires in state: 5 (16,515 acres)
• Largest active wildfire in state: Rock Fire (12,008 acres)
• Rock Fire details: Located 10 miles north of Independence, CA – 95% contained
• Land area in state in severe or worse drought: 0.7% (1,102 square miles)

7. Utah

• Number of active large wildfires in state: 3 (43,438 acres)
• Largest active wildfire in state: Widemouth 2 Fire (36,438 acres)
• Widemouth 2 Fire details: Located 2 miles southwest of Kanosh, UY – 0% contained
• Land area in state in severe or worse drought: 94.7% (80,385 square miles)

6. Minnesota

• Number of active large wildfires in state: 7 (69,533 acres)
• Largest active wildfire in state: Bear Trap Fire (29,778 acres)
• Bear Trap Fire details: Located 20 miles north of Ely, MN – 40% contained
• Land area in state in severe or worse drought: 35.0% (29,503 square miles)

5. Nevada

• Number of active large wildfires in state: 6 (93,302 acres)
• Largest active wildfire in state: Mouse Meadow Fire (37,553 acres)
• Mouse Meadow Fire details: Located 35 miles southwest of Rachel, NV – 0% contained
• Land area in state in severe or worse drought: 45.5% (50,238 square miles)

4. Idaho

• Number of active large wildfires in state: 8 (105,762 acres)
• Largest active wildfire in state: Tartar Fire (97,143 acres)
• Tartar Fire details: Located 21 Miles northwest of Weiser, ID – 16% contained
• Land area in state in severe or worse drought: 53.6% (44,802 square miles)

3. Colorado

• Number of active large wildfires in state: 5 (152,096 acres)
• Largest active wildfire in state: Aspen Acres Fire (101,961 acres)
• Aspen Acres Fire details: Located 10 miles northwest of Rye, CO – 67% contained
• Land area in state in severe or worse drought: 81.6% (85,007 square miles)

2. Washington

• Number of active large wildfires in state: 16 (344,585 acres)
• Largest active wildfire in state: Kaiser Canyon Fire (136,422 acres)
• Kaiser Canyon Fire details: Located 1 mile south of Nespelem, WA – 38% contained
• Land area in state in severe or worse drought: 8.1% (5,465 square miles)

1. Oregon

• Number of active large wildfires in state: 33 (1,812,608 acres)
• Largest active wildfire in state: Big Grass Fire (336,779 acres)
• Big Grass Fire details: Located 25 Miles southwest of Jordan Valley, OR – 19% contained
• Land area in state in severe or worse drought: 57.6% (55,798 square miles)