8.9M
Acres Burned in the US in 2020
2026 is on pace to surpass it — fueled by extreme heat, drought, and decades of fire suppression leaving forests overgrown
The Climate Connection
Scientists confirm: rising temperatures dry out vegetation, extend fire seasons by up to 78 days, and create the conditions for megafires. The hottest years on record have all occurred since 2015 — and 2026 is on track to be the hottest yet.
$150B+
Annual Economic Cost of US Wildfires
Including property loss, healthcare costs, firefighting, and lost productivity — and that number is rising every fire season
Protect Yourself & Your Community
Create a defensible space around your home. Have an evacuation plan. Check AQI daily during fire season. And demand bold climate action — because prevention is cheaper than disaster response.
2026 Season
Worst Wildfire Year on Record
US wildfires scorched over 9 million acres by September 2026, surpassing previous records across 11 western states from California to Montana.
Smoke & Health
Toxic Air Reaches 200 Million
Wildfire smoke kills an estimated 25,000 Americans annually.
Prevention
Prescribed Burns Scale Up
The Forest Service triples prescribed burn targets to 3 million acres per year.
Communities at Risk
80 Million in the Fire Zone
The wildland-urban interface where homes meet forests now holds 80 million Americans.