National Fire News

National Preparedness Level 2

as of May 14 at 7:30 a.m. MDT (on a scale from 1 to 5)

Current hours for the National Fire Information Center are
(MST) 8:00 am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday
208-387-5050

This report is currently updated on Fridays only.
Please check the IMSR for more information.

May 16, 2025

As we mark Wildfire Awareness Month, wildland firefighters and support personnel are on the front lines, battling eight uncontained large wildfires across the country. So far this year, 25,619 wildfires have burned more than 1 million acres, surpassing the 10-year average. Right now, 1,653 wildland firefighters and support staff are working together to keep communities and landscapes safe.

Behind every flame being fought, there's a network of agencies, professionals, and partners coming together as one team. From air operations to hand crews, and dispatchers to data analysts, wildland fire management is truly an interagency effort. That’s what makes our national approach unique, it’s not just one agency’s job. It’s everyone’s.

While May brings warmer weather and more time spent outdoors, it’s also a reminder to stay alert to fire danger. Campfires, vehicles, and even small sparks can lead to big problems when vegetation is dry. Whether you're hiking, hauling, or hanging out at home, your choices matter. Because when it comes to wildfire, it takes all of us, firefighters, land managers, communities, and you.

Wildfire potential is elevated this May in parts of the Southwest, Southern California, central Florida, and the Northern Plains due to warm, dry, and windy conditions. Check out the National Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook to see what's ahead through August 2025. 

Across the wildland fire community, we’re embracing innovation, using data and technology to guide our strategies and protect what we value. We’re learning from the past, investing in fire-adapted communities, and taking meaningful steps toward a more resilient future. Explore the 2025 National Fire Year Themes and learn how we’re working together to create a safer, more fire-adapted future.

Weather

Dry conditions will continue in the Southwest with minimum relative humidity of 5-15% and poor overnight recovery of 20-35% on mid-slopes and ridges. Locally breezy west winds will continue in portions of eastern Arizona and western New Mexico creating areas of elevated conditions. Much cooler conditions are expected across the Dakotas into the Upper Great Lakes along with scattered showers, and isolated showers remain possible in the northern Intermountain West, as well. In the Midwest from Iowa to Lower Michigan, an area breezy westerly winds will develop amid very warm temperatures and relative humidity as low as 20% to create elevated conditions. Showers and thunderstorms will develop ahead of a cold front from the Mid-Mississippi Valley to the Mid-Atlantic, with severe thunderstorms likely for the Mid-Mississippi and Ohio Valleys. Very hot temperatures up to 110°F will continue in southwest Texas, with very low relative humidity in the single digits for the Trans Pecos and Big Bend. Dry conditions with relative humidity as low as 20% will continue across Interior Alaska, but the breezy northeast winds will gradually diminish. Breezy trade winds are expected across Hawai’i with an increase in showers, especially for windward areas. 

Daily statistics
Number of new large fires or emergency response


* New fires are identified with an asterisk
2 States currently reporting large fires:
Total number of large fires under full suppression strategies 8
Acres from all active fires 64,520
Fires contained 2
Year-to-date statistics
2025 (1/1/25-5/16/25) Fires: 25,619 Acres: 1,087,958
2024 (1/1/24-5/16/24) Fires: 10,124 Acres: 1,868,179
2023 (1/1/23-5/16/23) Fires: 15,681 Acres: 474,969
2022 (1/1/22-5/16/22) Fires: 25,637 Acres: 1,369,835
2021 (1/1/21-5/16/21) Fires: 21,523 Acres: 552,711
2020 (1/1/20-5/16/20) Fires: 15,642 Acres: 337,642
2019 (1/1/19-5/16/19) Fires: 12,567 Acres: 226,078
2018 (1/1/18-5/16/18) Fires: 21,810 Acres: 1,593,269
2017 (1/1/17-5/16/17) Fires: 22,401 Acres: 1,804,327
2016 (1/1/16-5/16/16) Fires: 17,853 Acres: 1,537,843
2015 (1/1/15-5/16/15) Fires: 19,705 Acres: 374,778
10-year average Year-to-Date
2015-2024 Fires: 18,465 Acres: 1,025,223
Current Wildfires
Fires: 3
Acres: 30,456
New: 0
Contained: 0
Fire Unit Agency Size % Ctn Location Information
Blind Coconino National Forest USFS 6,329 52 Twenty-two miles northeast of Pine, AZ
Bryce Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management - Southeast District ST 3,294 80 1.5 miles S/SE of Eden 602-540-1036
Greer Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest USFS 20,833 0 Greer 928-291-7851
Fires: 1
Acres: 330
New: 1
Contained: 0
Fire Unit Agency Size % Ctn Location Information
* Idria San Benito-Monterey Unit ST 330 90 Twenty-eight miles southwest of Mendota, CA
Fires: 3
Acres: 32,784
New: 0
Contained: 0
Fire Unit Agency Size % Ctn Location Information
Camp House 14,852 31 2 miles NE of Brimson, MN 218-206-6805
Jenkins Creek Superior National Forest USFS 16,332 0 15 miles SE of Hoyt Lakes, MN 218-206-6805
Munger Shaw 1,600 95 Southeast of Cotton and 2 miles East of Elora Lake (218)-360-4484
Fires: 0
Acres: 0
New: 1
Contained: 1
Fire Unit Agency Size % Ctn Location Information
* Bluff Creek National Forests in Mississippi USFS 581 100
Fires: 1
Acres: 950
New: 0
Contained: 0
Fire Unit Agency Size % Ctn Location Information
Black Swamp National Forests in North Carolina USFS 950 90 Jones County, 6 miles SE of Maysville, NC 828-712-5017
Fires: 0
Acres: 0
New: 0
Contained: 1
Fire Unit Agency Size % Ctn Location Information
Backburn Turtle Mountain Agency BIA 1,342 100 Three miles northwest of Belcourt, ND