US National Interagency Fire Center Wildfire Update for August 18

The US National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) reported that as of Monday, August 18, 48 large fires are actively burning across the country.

The National Fire Preparedness Level remains at a of 4 out of 5. A total of 16,574 wildland firefighters and support personnel are assigned nationwide, including 314 crews, 889 engines and 99 helicopters. In addition, 4-military C-130 airtankers equipped with Modular Airborne Firefighting Systems (MAFFS) are currently on assignment. Two are operating from Colorado Springs, Colorado, and two from Mesa, Arizona, adding critical airtanker support when aviation resources are at capacity.

Predictive Services at the National Interagency Coordination Center is tracking three active fuels and fire behavior advisories covering portions of Nevada, California, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and Wyoming.

Daily Statistics

As of Monday, there are currently 48 large wildfires or emergency responses ongoing. Only 2 are partially contained. There are currently 10 wildfires burning in Idaho; 6 each in Arizona and Montana; 5 in California; 4 each in Colorado and Wyoming; 3 each in Neveda, Utah, and Washington; 2 in New Mexico; and 1 each in Louisiana and Oregon.

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

  • Year-to-date through August 18, 43,989 wildfires have been reported, and they have burned 3,766,499 acres.
  • During the same period last year, 26,048 wildfires were reported, and they had burned 5,415,842 acres.
  • The 10-year average (2015–24) for the same period is 37,870 wildfires and 4,664,774 acres burned.

FEA compiles the Wood Markets News from various 3rd party sources to provide readers with the latest news impacting forest product markets. Opinions or views expressed in these articles do not necessarily represent those of FEA.