Click Here for California Fires
August 16, 2023 - Three new large fires were reported, one in California, Hawaii and Florida. Nationally, 77 large fires burned 534,967 acres in 14 states. More than 10,100 wildland firefighters and support personnel are assigned to incidents across the country. This includes 20 incident management teams, about 205 crews, 417 engines, 78 helicopters and two MAFFS C-130 airtanker and support personnel.
A Type 1 incident management team is mobilizing to Hawaii to assist with wildfire suppression efforts. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) continues to work closely with state and local agencies on Maui. For more information, please visit the following websites:
- County of Maui Disaster Update
- Hawaii Emergency Management Agency emergency proclamation relating to wildfires and travel to Maui
- FEMA - Hawaii wildfires
Fire managers are prepared for hot and dry conditions and the potential for thunderstorms in northern California and southern Oregon. As you head out to enjoy your favorite place on our public lands, always remember to check for local fire restrictions. Please know before you go and recreate responsibly.
The National Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook and other valuable resources are available on the National Interagency Coordination Center website. Listen to the latest wildland fire potential outlook and the monthly seasonal outlook podcast for August through November.
Hot, dry, and unstable conditions will continue across the Northwest extending into northern California, the northern Rockies, and northern Great Basin. Temperatures up to 110°F will occur in the lower valleys, with widespread temperatures in the 90s in the higher elevations. Relative humidity will fall to 10-25% with poor overnight recovery below 30% for many mid-slopes and ridges. In addition, gusty westerly winds will develop in the Cascade Gaps, while isolated to scattered mixed wet and dry thunderstorms develop over northern California into southwest and central Oregon. Monsoon moisture will remain across the southern Sierra and Southwest into the greater Four Corners, with scattered wet thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening. Cooler temperatures are forecast across much of Texas into the Lower Mississippi Valley, but dry and gusty post-frontal northerly winds will create locally elevated conditions in north and central Texas into Louisiana. Scattered thunderstorms will develop near the stalled front in south Texas and along the Gulf Coast with potential new ignitions, while scattered to widespread thunderstorms will develop along the East Coast. Cooler and wetter conditions are forecast for Interior Alaska.
Number of new large fires or emergency response * New fires are identified with an asterisk |
3 | States currently reporting large fires: |
Number of active large fires Total does not include individual fires within complexes. |
77 | |
Acres from active fires | 534,967 | |
Fires contained | 2 |
Year-to-date statistics
2023 (1/1/23-8/16/23) | Fires: 34,650 | Acres: 1,628,275 |
2022 (1/1/22-8/16/22) | Fires: 42,489 | Acres: 5,930,293 |
2021 (1/1/21-8/16/21) | Fires: 40,475 | Acres: 4,044,003 |
2020 (1/1/20-8/16/20) | Fires: 36,101 | Acres: 2,411,931 |
2019 (1/1/19-8/16/19) | Fires: 30,266 | Acres: 3,701,390 |
2018 (1/1/18-8/16/18) | Fires: 40,729 | Acres: 5,720,095 |
2017 (1/1/17-8/16/17) | Fires: 42,185 | Acres: 6,350,711 |
2016 (1/1/16-8/16/16) | Fires: 37,783 | Acres: 3,921,167 |
2015 (1/1/15-8/16/15) | Fires: 40,509 | Acres: 6,969,074 |
2014 (1/1/14-8/16/14) | Fires: 36,633 | Acres: 2,584,362 |
2013 (1/1/13-8/16/13) | Fires: 30,908 | Acres: 3,148,014 |
10-year average Year-to-Date
2013-2022 | Fires: 37,880 | Acres: 4,437,647 |
Source: NIFC