May 31, 2022 - One new large fire was reported in Florida yesterday. Nationally, 12 uncontained large fires have burned 679,214 acres in five states. The Hermits Peak and Black fires continue to burn 
actively in New Mexico and nearby residents remain evacuated. More than 5,300 wildland firefighters and support personnel are assigned to incident across the country.
To date, 27,409 wildfires have burned 1,889,439 acres. The number of acres burned in 2022 is more than one million acres above the 10-year average of 888,724 acres.
You don’t have to be a firefighter to keep your home safe from wildfire. Homeowners and communities play a large role in fire safety. Take simple measures such as keeping streets and roads clear to fire engines can safely maneuver and residents can evacuate if needed. Make sure fire hydrants are visible and accessible. More importantly, clear flammable vegetation around structures, on large lots and along roadsides. These simple prevention measures can go along way toward reducing damages of fire to your home and community.
As weather conditions in several states become critical, take a look at the current fuels and fire behavior advisories for central Arizona and New Mexico posted on the Predictive Services website. In addition, check out the significant wildland fire potential outlook for May, June, July and August. This outlook highlights areas of the country with the potential for an above normal number of wildfires. The Predictive Services monthly seasonal outlook podcast is also available.
Elevated to locally critical fire weather conditions are expected to continue across southern Colorado and northern and central New Mexico. Rain with mountain snow is expected along and east of the Divide in Wyoming and Colorado onto the High Plains and across portions of Kansas and Oklahoma. Thunderstorms, including severe, are likely near and ahead of a cold front from west Texas stretching northeast to the Great Lakes. Strong to severe thunderstorms are likely on the Florida Peninsula as well. Below normal temperatures will continue across the Intermountain West, with warming temperatures along the West Coast. Hot and dry conditions will continue across much of Alaska, with chances of isolated showers and thunderstorms expanding from southern Alaska into the Interior.
| Number of new large fires or emergency response * New fires are identified with an asterisk |
1 | States currently reporting large fires: |
| Number of active large fires Total does not include individual fires within complexes. |
12 | |
| Acres from active fires | 679,214 | |
| Fires contained | 1 |
Year-to-date statistics
| 2022 (1/1/22-5/31/22) | Fires: 27,409 | Acres: 1,889,439 |
| 2021 (1/1/21-5/31/21) | Fires: 24,949 | Acres: 687,017 |
| 2020 (1/1/20-5/31/20) | Fires: 19,556 | Acres: 415,045 |
| 2019 (1/1/19-5/31/19) | Fires: 14,765 | Acres: 272,003 |
| 2018 (1/1/18-5/31/18) | Fires: 23,984 | Acres: 1,665,736 |
| 2017 (1/1/17-5/31/17) | Fires: 24,664 | Acres: 2,233,125 |
| 2016 (1/1/16-5/31/16) | Fires: 20,427 | Acres: 1,597,983 |
| 2015 (1/1/15-5/31/15) | Fires: 21,566 | Acres: 396,807 |
| 2014 (1/1/14-5/31/14) | Fires: 21,732 | Acres: 717,979 |
| 2013 (1/1/13-5/31/13) | Fires: 17,907 | Acres: 241,475 |
| 2012 (1/1/12-5/31/12) | Fires: 22,186 | Acres: 698,386 |
10-year average Year-to-Date
| 2012-2021 | Fires: 21,033 | Acres: 888,724 |
Source: NIFC
