Last year US wildfires had burned 4.1 million acres by August 24. How many acres have burned by that date this year?

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US wildfires burned 7.8 million acres by August 24, 2026, nearly double the 4.1 million burned by the same date a year earlier. Drought covers nearly half the country, and two lightning outbreaks over the Northwest in mid-July started so many fires that the national preparedness level hit its maximum of 5.

US wildfires have burned 7.8 million acres this year, nearly double the 4.1 million burned by the same date last year.

Source: National Interagency Fire Center · checked Aug 2026