U.S. Raises Wildfire Preparedness to Maximum Level 5 as 94 Uncontained Blazes Rake the West
On August 5, 2026, the National Interagency Fire Center raised the U.S. National Preparedness Level to Level 5—the highest level of emergency readiness—as 94 uncontained large wildfires burned 3.26 million acres across nine western states. Over 28,700 wildland firefighters, 1,618 fire engines, and 180 helicopters are currently deployed nationwide. ...


