Special Report

Wildfires Are Burning These 14 States Right Now

Michael B. Sauter

Published: July 27, 2018 1:22 pm

Last Updated: January 11, 2020 8:17 pm

There are currently 88 wildfires burning across the country in 14 states. Almost 200,000 acres are currently ablaze, an area roughly equivalent to all five boroughs of New York City, combined.

In California, Yosemite National Park has been evacuated for fear of the nearby 41,576 acre Ferguson fire, which is only slightly more than one-quarter contained. There are currently over 10 active fires, each, in Alaska, Idaho, and Oregon. In southern Colorado, the Spring Creek fire covers over 100,000 acres. That fire, while largely contained, is close to becoming the second largest in state history.

The current series of dangerous fires across the western United States represents more of the same for residents there. Due to prolonged dry conditions caused — according to experts — by climate change as well as accumulation of dead timber, attempts to contain fires in the 21st century have been more often than not been a losing battle, even as firefighting tactics and technology continues to improve. Since the turn of the century, there have been 10 years in which at least 7 million acres burned. This has only happened in one year between 1956 and 1999.

2017 was the worst year for fires in more than 60 years, second only to 2015. With conditions predicted to be worse across much of the country over the next several months, and 4.2 million acres already burned this year, 2018 is shaping up to be another bad year.

To identify the 14 states with active wildfires, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the latest data on current active wildfire released by the National Interagency Fire Center. Annual acres burned due to wildfires also come from the NIFC.

Click here to see the 14 states with wildfires.

1. Alaska
> Active wildfires: 11 (contained: 0)
> Acres burning: 191,440
> Largest active fire: Dulby Hot Springs (44,364 acres)
> 2017 acres burned: 653,023 (7th most)

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2. Arizona
> Active wildfires: 7 (contained: 0)
> Acres burning: 5,432
> Largest active fire: Bruno (2,567 acres)
> 2017 acres burned: 429,564 (10th most)

3. California
> Active wildfires: 6 (contained: 1)
> Acres burning: 53,206
> Largest active fire: Ferguson (41,576 acres)
> 2017 acres burned: 1,266,224 (3rd most)

4. Colorado
> Active wildfires: 8 (contained: 0)
> Acres burning: 194,771
> Largest active fire: Spring Creek (108,045 acres)
> 2017 acres burned: 111,667 (16th most)

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5. Idaho
> Active wildfires: 12 (contained: 1)
> Acres burning: 81,854
> Largest active fire: Bruneau (51,000 acres)
> 2017 acres burned: 686,262 (6th most)

6. Montana
> Active wildfires: 3 (contained: 0)
> Acres burning: 4,168
> Largest active fire: Wawa (2,850 acres)
> 2017 acres burned: 1,366,498 (the most)

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7. Nevada
> Active wildfires: 9 (contained: 3)
> Acres burning: 18,655
> Largest active fire: Owyhee (5,260 acres)
> 2017 acres burned: 1,329,289 (2nd most)

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8. New Mexico
> Active wildfires: 3 (contained: 0)
> Acres burning: 3,355
> Largest active fire: Venado (2,620 acres)
> 2017 acres burned: 141,663 (15th most)

9. Oklahoma
> Active wildfires: 2 (contained: 1)
> Acres burning: 1,250
> Largest active fire: Brushy Creek (775 acres)
> 2017 acres burned: 502,625 (8th most)

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10. Oregon
> Active wildfires: 15 (contained: 1)
> Acres burning: 126,222
> Largest active fire: Substation (78,425 acres)
> 2017 acres burned: 714,520 (5th most)

11. Texas
> Active wildfires: 3 (contained: 0)
> Acres burning: 4,918
> Largest active fire: Harman Road (2,887 acres)
> 2017 acres burned: 734,682 (4th most)

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12. Utah
> Active wildfires: 6 (contained: 0)
> Acres burning: 77,635
> Largest active fire: Dollar Ridge (57,124 acres)
> 2017 acres burned: 249,829 (13th most)

13. Washington
> Active wildfires: 1 (contained: 0)
> Acres burning: 720
> Largest active fire: Turtle Rock (720 acres)
> 2017 acres burned: 404,223 (11th most)

14. Wyoming
> Active wildfires: 2 (contained: 0)
> Acres burning: 21,420
> Largest active fire: Badger Creek (21,310 acres)
> 2017 acres burned: 90,115 (17th most)