Drought fuels dangerous wildfire season across U.S.
• The 2026 wildfire season is expected to be severe, with 5.5 to 8 million acres potentially burning across the U.S.
• Drought, heat, and dry vegetation will fuel larger fires, particularly in California, the Southwest, the Rockies, and the Northwest.
• Residents in high-risk areas are urged to take proactive measures, including creating defensible space and having emergency plans.
U.S. wildfire season predicted dangerous due to drought
The 2026 wildfire season in the U.S. is predicted to be particularly dangerous, fueled by ongoing drought conditions. According to the latest outlook released on April 22, experts anticipate that between 5.5 and 8 million acres could burn across the country. The risk is expected to be highest in California during late May and June before expanding to the Southwest, the Rockies, and the Northwest throughout the summer months.
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