The Largest Active Wildfires Burning Right Now

By Evan Comen • October 1, 2025

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The last several months have been one of the busiest fire seasons in recent history. There are currently three megafires burning nationwide, each covering more than 100,000 acres.

While the Dragon Bravo Fire in the Grand Canyon is the worst fire of the year by far, there are dozens of major fires currently burning throughout the United States. A closer look at the data reveals the largest fires burning in the United States right now.

To determine the largest fires burning in the United States right now, Climate Crisis 247 reviewed data on current wildfire perimeters from the National Interagency Fire Center. Active wildfires with less than 100% containment were ranked based on total acreage as of August September 30, 2025.

15. Big Bear Fire (Idaho County, ID)

Photo by Abigail Loney on Unsplash

Current wildfire size: 16,220 acres
Percent of wildfire contained: 90.0%
Date discovered: July 9, 2025
Primary fuel: Timber

14. Dollar Lake Fire (Sublette County, WY)

Photo by Michel Stockman on Unsplash

Current wildfire size: 19,467 acres
Percent of wildfire contained: 66.0%
Date discovered: August 21, 2025
Primary fuel: Timber

13. Bear Gulch Fire (Mason County, WA)

Photo by Peter Robbins on Unsplash

Current wildfire size: 19,823 acres
Percent of wildfire contained: 6.0%
Date discovered: July 7, 2025
Primary fuel: Timber

12. Rattlesnake Fire (Ferry County, WA)

Photo by Léon McGregor on Unsplash

Current wildfire size: 21,845 acres
Percent of wildfire contained: 93.0%
Date discovered: September 1, 2025
Primary fuel: Tall grass

11. Flat Fire (Jefferson County, OR)

Photo by Dale Nibbe on Unsplash

Current wildfire size: 23,346 acres
Percent of wildfire contained: 97.0%
Date discovered: August 21, 2025
Primary fuel: Tall grass

10. Twelvemile Lake Fire (Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, AK)

Photo by Dennis Zhang on Unsplash

Current wildfire size: 24,146 acres
Percent of wildfire contained: 0.0%
Date discovered: June 19, 2025
Primary fuel: Timber

9. Lower Sugarloaf Fire (Chelan County, WA)

Photo by Ian on Unsplash

Current wildfire size: 29,955 acres
Percent of wildfire contained: 22.0%
Date discovered: September 1, 2025
Primary fuel: Timber

8. Emigrant Fire (Lane County, OR)

Photo by everett mcintire on Unsplash

Current wildfire size: 32,734 acres
Percent of wildfire contained: 41.0%
Date discovered: August 24, 2025
Primary fuel: Medium logging slash

7. Wheeler Fire (Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, AK)

Photo by T Fe on Unsplash

Current wildfire size: 39,210 acres
Percent of wildfire contained: 0.0%
Date discovered: July 7, 2025
Primary fuel: Timber

6. Black Rock Fire (Wasco County, OR)

Photo by Eric Muhr on Unsplash

Current wildfire size: 43,842 acres
Percent of wildfire contained: 97.0%
Date discovered: September 4, 2025
Primary fuel: Brush

5. Garnet Fire (Fresno County, CA)

Photo by Steven Kelly on Unsplash

Current wildfire size: 59,844 acres
Percent of wildfire contained: 99.0%
Date discovered: August 24, 2025
Primary fuel: Timber

4. Monroe Canyon Fire (Sevier County, UT)

Photo by Ralph Katieb on Unsplash

Current wildfire size: 73,721 acres
Percent of wildfire contained: 99.0%
Date discovered: July 13, 2025
Primary fuel: Brush

3. Red Canyon Fire (Hot Springs County, WY)

Photo by Roger Starnes Sr on Unsplash

Current wildfire size: 124,709 acres
Percent of wildfire contained: 98.0%
Date discovered: August 13, 2025
Primary fuel: Short grass

2. Gifford Fire (Santa Barbara County, CA)

Photo by Jeff W on Unsplash

Current wildfire size: 131,612 acres
Percent of wildfire contained: 98.0%
Date discovered: August 1, 2025
Primary fuel: Tall grass

1. Dragon Bravo Fire (Coconino County, AZ)

Photo by FollowersofTheShepherd on Unsplash

Current wildfire size: 145,504 acres
Percent of wildfire contained: 94.0%
Date discovered: July 4, 2025
Primary fuel: Brush