Early Season Activity
Based on year-to-date wildfire activity through June 5, 2026, the current season is trending well above normal nationwide. Fire starts are running approximately 41% above the 10-year average, while more than 2.4 million acres have already burned—approximately 93% above the historical average for this point in the year.
This elevated early-season activity reflects a combination of receptive fuels, sustained ignition potential, and increasing fire activity across multiple geographic areas. While the number of large incidents remains manageable nationally, the significant increase in acres burned suggests that more fires are escaping initial attack and requiring extended suppression operations, greater resource commitment, and longer-duration incident management.
Perhaps most notably, the average fire size is currently running approximately 36% above the 10-year average. Larger average fire size is often an early indicator of increasing suppression complexity and growing demand for firefighting resources as the season progresses.
Historically, national resource demand begins to accelerate several weeks before National Preparedness Level 4 (PL4) is reached. Over the past decade, the average first PL4 declaration has occurred in late July. Based on current fire activity trends and historical preparedness level data, the most likely period for significant national resource demand appears to be between early and late July, although regional activity can create assignment opportunities earlier.
Current large fire activity spans multiple geographic areas, including portions of the Southeast, Northern Rockies, Great Basin, Northwest, and Southwest. This broad distribution of activity places increasing pressure on the national resource pool and can accelerate demand for contract engines and support resources as incidents begin competing for personnel and equipment.
While no single indicator can predict the course of a fire season, the combination of above-average fire occurrence, significantly elevated acres burned, and increasing average fire size points toward an active summer and the potential for above-normal demand for suppression resources.
Skyline Ridge Fire Company remains ready to respond wherever the need arises — providing professional, reliable wildland fire suppression support with the goal of being ready when the call comes.