US National Interagency Fire Center Wildfire Update for February 27

The US National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) reported that as of Friday, February 27, 18 large fires are actively burning across the country, with 46 new large fires reported over the past week. Firefighters responded to 617 new fires nationwide during the period.

The National Fire Preparedness Level is at 3 out of 5 in the Southern Area, while the remainder of the country remains at 1 out of 5.

Wildland firefighters continue to face early-season activity in parts of the South, where wind-driven runs in grass, brush, and southern rough have threatened numerous residences in Florida, Texas, and Oklahoma. NIFC said most new starts are contained quickly, often within the first operational period, reflecting coordinated interagency response.

Daily Statistics

As of Friday, there are 39 large wildfires or emergency responses ongoing, with 36 contained.

Oklahoma leads with 7 active fires; Florida has 3; Mississippi has 2; and Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Kansas, New Mexico, and Texas each have 1.

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

• Year-to-date through February 27, 7,895 wildfires have been reported, burning 385,991 acres.
• During the same period last year, 5,245 wildfires were reported, burning 108,534 acres.
• The 10-year average (2015–24) for the same period is 4,323 wildfires and 91,529 acres burned.