US has worst wildfire season in a decade, report says

Outdoor Life reported on June 2 that the United States is having its worst wildfire season at this point in the year in a decade, citing federal fire data and a new seasonal outlook. The report drew on figures from the National Interagency Fire Center and the National Interagency Coordination Center, which track wildfire activity and publish monthly fire-potential forecasts. Federal data show both the number of fires and the acreage burned are running well above recent averages. (nifc.gov) The National Interagency Coordination Center said in its June 1 outlook that 2,412,214 acres had burned across the country by May 31, equal to 195% of the previous 10-year average. (nifc.gov) The same outlook said 30,588 wildfires had been reported so far this year, or 140% of average. ### How far above normal is this year’s fire activity? The National Interagency Fire Center said on its statistics page, last updated June 1, that year-to-date acreage burned stood at 2,405,621 acres and year-to-date wildfires at 30,298. The agency said those figures are sourced from the Incident Management Situation Report published by the National Interagency Coordination Center. (outdoorlife.com) The National Interagency Coordination Center’s June 1 outlook gave slightly later month-end totals and said acres burned were nearly double the 10-year average for this point in the calendar. That is the figure Outdoor Life highlighted in describing the season as the worst early-season fire year in a decade. (nifc.gov) ### What federal outlook is driving the warning that conditions could worsen? The National Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook, issued June 1 for the June-through-September period, said fire activity increased modestly across the United States in May, with brief periods of increased activity in the middle and late parts of the month. (nifc.gov) The outlook said below-normal precipitation was observed across most of the West, the northern Plains and much of the Midwest. The same federal outlook said drought still covered nearly 61% of the United States. It added that temperatures are likely to be above normal across the West through the central Plains into the Southeast, with below-normal precipitation expected in June for the Northwest. (nifc.gov) ### Where are active fires already drawing resources? The National Interagency Coordination Center said in its June 2 Incident Management Situation Report that the national preparedness level was at 2 on a five-point scale. The report listed 35 active incidents, 162,328 cumulative acres on those incidents and 2,025 personnel assigned. (nifc.gov) New Mexico and Idaho were among the places with named incidents in the June 2 report. The Seven Cabins fire in New Mexico had burned 30,420 acres and was estimated for containment on July 1, while Idaho’s Summit Creek fire had burned 1,743 acres with an estimated containment date of June 7, according to the report. (nifc.gov) ### Why are agencies focused on the next few months? The National Interagency Coordination Center said the purpose of its outlooks is to improve information available to fire-management decision makers. Its June 1 forecast covers June through September, the period when much of the western United States typically enters the core of fire season. (nifc.gov) Outdoor Life said in its June 2 report that the early-season totals and the federal summer outlook together point to the risk of a more severe season ahead. That framing tracks the federal forecast’s emphasis on heat, drought and below-normal precipitation in several regions. (nifc.gov) ### What should readers watch next? July 1 is the next issuance date for the National Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook, according to the June 1 forecast. The National Interagency Coordination Center also posts the Incident Management Situation Report daily, while the National Interagency Fire Center updates its national statistics page with current fire and acreage totals. (nifc.gov 1) (nifc.gov 2) (outdoorlife.com)