US National Interagency Fire Center Wildfire Update as of October 28th

The US National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) reported that as of Monday, October 28th, wildland fire activity continues in 9 states where 11 large active wildfires have burned 1,073,226 acres.

The National Fire Preparedness Level has been lowered to a 3 out of 5. Approximately 4,000 wildland firefighters and support personnel are assigned to incidents, including 6 complex incident management teams, 56 crews, 180 engines, and 35 helicopters. In addition, wildland firefighters and support personnel continue to assist with hurricane relief efforts in North Carolina. Two Canadian crews are assisting with suppression efforts in the Great Basin area.

The Southern Area Coordination Center’s predictive services unit has issued a fuels and fire behavior advisory for parts of Mississippi and Alabama, in conjunction with state and federal partners. The advisory notes the return of drought in these areas, which previously saw considerable tree mortality due to past drought stress and southern pine beetle infestations.

Daily Statistics

As of Monday, there was 1 large new fire being reported, and in total there are 11 large active wildfires that have burned 1,073,226 acres in 9 states. California has 3 wildfires; Okalhoma and Wyoming have 2 each; and Idaho, Michigan, New Jersey, Oregon, South Dakota, and Utah have 1 each. Of the 11 large wildfires currently burning, none are contained.

The updated year-to-date comparison is as follows:

• Year-to-date through October 28th, 45,500 wildfires were reported, and they have burned 7,969,755 acres.
• During the same period last year, 48,866 wildfires were reported, and they had burned 2,529,494 acres.
• The 10-year average (2014–23) for the same period is 49,958 wildfires and 6,404,088 acres burned.