US National Interagency Fire Center Wildfire Update for March 27

The US National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) reported that as of Friday, March 27, 51 uncontained large fires are actively burning across the country, covering 52,585 acres, with 2,331 personnel assigned to these incidents. Several geographic areas are experiencing increased wildfire activity and are beginning to draw on national resources to support incident objectives.

The National Fire Preparedness Level remains at 2 out of 5.

The NIFC has issued two Fuels and Fire Behavior Advisories. The first covers the Northern and Central Great Plains, where historically dry fuels are driving extreme rates of fire spread and behavior not typically seen in March. The second covers the Central and Southern Great Plains, where above-normal to exceptional grass loads are widespread; dry and unusually hot weather expected through the remainder of March will cause these abundant fuels to become historically dry for this time of year.

Daily Statistics

As of Friday, there are 22 large wildfires or emergency responses ongoing, 19 of which are contained.

Oklahoma leads with 6 active fires; North Carolina has 3; Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina have 2 each; and Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, and New Mexico have 1 each.

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

• Year-to-date through March 27, 15,436 wildfires reported, burning 1,510,973 acres.
• During the same period last year, 14,849 wildfires reported, burning 707,228 acres.
• The 10-year average (2016–25) for the same period is 9,195 wildfires and 664,792 acres burned.