CNN: wildfire activity at historic levels this spring

CNN reported on May 23 that wildfire activity across the United States has reached historic levels this spring, citing federal data and fire experts who said conditions could worsen in the coming months. Nearly 30,000 fires have ignited nationwide since the start of 2026, the highest count in almost two decades, and more than 2 million acres have burned, CNN reported. (abc17news.com) The National Interagency Fire Center’s May-through-August outlook, issued May 1, said 1,848,210 acres had burned by April 30, or 194% of the previous 10-year average, with 24,066 wildfires reported, or 150% of average. (nifc.gov) Morgan Varner, research director at Tall Timbers Research Station & Land Conservancy in Tallahassee, Florida, told CNN that several factors “all point to a really bad year” in many regions. (nifc.gov) The federal outlook said drought had expanded across the country, with nearly 62% of the United States in drought as of late April, while above-normal summer temperatures were likely across most of the country, especially in the West. ### Which numbers show how unusual this spring has been? The National Interagency Fire Center said on May 1 that acreage burned nationwide by April 30 was nearly double the previous 10-year average. The same outlook said wildfire counts were also running well above average before the traditional summer peak in many Western states. (abc17news.com) CNN reported on May 23 that the national total had climbed to nearly 30,000 fires and more than 2 million acres burned. The network said that made this spring the most active in almost two decades by fire count and the worst in 14 years by acreage lost. (abc17news.com) ### Where has the fire activity been concentrated so far? CNN reported that the Southeast has recorded the highest number of fires so far this year, with blazes burning closer to populated areas than usual. It said the largest fires have been in the Great Plains, where strong winds pushed flames across towns, while the West has already seen unusually early destructive fires. (nifc.gov) Georgia was one of the clearest examples cited by CNN. Thomas Barrett, forest protection chief with the Georgia Forestry Commission, told CNN that the state had been in drought since late summer 2025, helping create severe fire conditions this spring. (abc17news.com) ### Why are Utah officials warning residents now? Utah officials used Wildfire Awareness Month in May to press residents to prepare before peak fire season. A May 13 report citing state and local agencies said nearly 60% of Utah wildfires in 2025 were caused by humans, and Kayli Guild, statewide fire communications, prevention and education coordinator for the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, said “the risk is elevated heading into the summer months” because of ongoing drought and already dry conditions. (abc17news.com) Utah’s drought update, posted May 19 by the Utah Department of Natural Resources, said 100% of the state was in some form of drought and 59% was in extreme drought. (abc17news.com) The state said drying vegetation was creating increased fire danger and warned that conditions were expected to tighten further in coming weeks. ### What are officials telling people to do before summer? Utah agencies said residents should create evacuation plans, prepare emergency go-bags and discuss emergency procedures with family members before a fire threatens their area. Officials also urged people to reduce fuels in the “Home Ignition Zone,” especially within the first five feet around homes, by removing flammable materials, cleaning roofs and gutters, and clearing dead brush. (heraldextra.com) The National Interagency Fire Center said in its May 1 outlook that below-normal precipitation was likely in the Northwest and northern Rockies through summer, while much of the West was expected to see above-normal temperatures. (drought.utah.gov) Those conditions, combined with drought, are part of the backdrop for the preparedness push in Utah and other Western states. ### What comes next in the federal outlook? The National Interagency Fire Center said its current significant wildland fire potential outlook covers May through August 2026 and listed June 1 as the next issuance date. Utah officials said preparedness messaging will continue through Wildfire Awareness Month in May as the state moves into hotter and drier summer conditions. (heraldextra.com) (nifc.gov)