US National Interagency Fire Center Update for September 12, 2022: Two New Wildfires

The US National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) reported on Monday (9-12-22) that the total number of large wildfires and complexes currently burning in the US has grown to 93, with more than 813,066 acres across 7 different states currently burning. Two new fires were reported within the past 24 hours. There are now more than 19,500 wildland fire personnel assigned to these incidents across the US.

The NIFC continues to hold the National Fire Preparedness Level at 4 out of a possible 5, citing significant and growing fire activity occurring in multiple geographic areas and the continuing increase in the number of requests for national resources.

Most of the wildfire activity is now located in the state of Idaho, where there are currently 34 wildfires burning. Elsewhere, there are 23 wildfires burning in Montana, 13 in Washington State, 12 in California, 9 in Oregon, and 1 each in Utah and Wyoming. Of the 93 wildfires currently burning, only 3 have been even partially contained.

The current number of wildfires remains well in excess of the 2021 level, which up until now held the record high level, and is more than double the 10-year average. The NIFC’s update comparison is as follows:

• From 1/1/22 through 9/12/22, 49,753 wildfires have been reported and they have burned 6,675,569 acres.
• From 1/1/21 through 9/12/21, 44,361 wildfires had been reported and they had burned 5,561,102 acres.
• The NIFC notes that the 10-year average (2012–2021) for the same time period is 42,831 wildfires and 6,281,794 acres burned.

NIFC meteorologists say that the outlook for significant wildfires in September continues to reflect warmer and drier conditions, leading to the high potential of severe wildfire activity throughout the western US through the fall. Widespread high temperatures observed across areas in the West along with low relative humidity and periods of lightning activity continue to exacerbate the wildfire situation.