Secretary of Agriculture Issues 2026 Wildfire Readiness Memorandum Ahead of Active Fire Season

The Secretary of Agriculture issued a new Secretarial Memorandum and letter directing the U.S. Forest Service to heighten national wildfire readiness, accelerate community-focused risk reduction, and strengthen firefighter health and safety for the 2026 fire year.

Secretary of Agriculture Issues 2026 Wildfire Readiness Memorandum Ahead of Active Fire Season

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Brian Fennessy discusses leading the next chapter

Wildfire NOTD subscriber Brian Fennessy, Director of the US Wildland Fire Service, discussed how he will lead the implementation of creating a single cohesive wildland fire organization within the Department of the Interior.

Brian Fennessy discusses leading the next chapter

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Wildfires are torching state budgets

With 9 of the 10 most expensive wildfires in U.S. history occurring since 2017 following a century of fire suppression that has led to more flammable vegetation on the landscape, coupled with warming temperatures due to climate change, state government officials across the West are seeing budgets hammered by wildfire costs.

Wildfires are torching state budgets

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CSKT Division of Fire details aerial firefighting resources, procedures

Montana's Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Division of Fire detailed how their aerial firefighting program works when it's time for them to answer the call, discussing some of the hazards pilots face, from mechanical problems to windy conditions that may keep them grounded when they'd rather be fighting fires.

CSKT Division of Fire details aerial firefighting resources, procedures

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More than 15 million under fire weather alerts in central U.S., as warmth, strong winds fuel "extreme" wildfire risks

The National Weather Service warned that more than 15 million people across the central United States are under fire weather alerts through tonight, as a combination of heat, dry air and strong winds risk "extreme" wildfire behavior.

More than 15 million under fire weather alerts in central U.S., as warmth, strong winds fuel "extreme" wildfire risks

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Wildfires across Georgia and Florida destroy more than 50 homes and force evacuations

Huge plumes of smoke blanketed swaths of the Southeast on Wednesday as crews battled rapidly-growing wildfires that destroyed more than 50 homes in Georgia and forced hundreds to flee the drought- and wind-fueled flames, while Florida firefighters battled more than 130 blazes burning on 39 square miles.

Wildfires across Georgia and Florida destroy more than 50 homes and force evacuations

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Arizona pilots explain how reckless drones can ground wildfire air crews

An air-tanker pilot with Western Pilot Service, who has fought fires from the air for over a decade, complained about the interference caused by hobby drones as aircraft helped firefighters battling the Shaw Fire near Buckeye, Arizona, that forced evacuations and destroyed two buildings on Monday.

Arizona pilots explain how reckless drones can ground wildfire air crews

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CA Prepares for Early Wildfire Season Amidst Slashing of US Forest Service

Wildfire NOTD subscriber Craig Clements, Associate Professor at San Jose State University and Director of their Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center, joined a panel of experts in a discussion of the current wildfire situation in California, where a shortage of U.S. Forest Service personnel, coupled with a March heatwave, could spell peril for the Golden State.

CA Prepares for Early Wildfire Season Amidst Slashing of US Forest Service

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Wildfires used to ‘go to sleep’ at night. Climate change has them burning overtime

A new study published in the journal Science Advances shows that burning time for North American wildfires is going into overtime, with flames burning fiercely later into the night and starting earlier in the morning because climate change is extending the hotter and drier conditions that fuel fires.

Wildfires used to ‘go to sleep’ at night. Climate change has them burning overtime

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Wildland firefighters on track for 25% hazard pay boost for prescribed burns

Federal wildland firefighters may soon earn higher “hazard pay” rates for more of their work, according to a new proposal from the Office of Personnel Management, boosting the amount by 25% for any work that they do to manage and control prescribed burns.

Wildland firefighters on track for 25% hazard pay boost for prescribed burns

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NWA April Newsletter

The National Wildfire Alliance sent along their latest newsletter.

NWA April Newsletter

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Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden warns of catastrophic wildfire season due to funding cuts and low snowpack

Oregon U.S. Senator Ron Wyden criticized President Donald Trump on the Senate floor, citing a lack of preparedness for the upcoming wildfire season, warning that federal funding cuts to the U.S. Forest Service and other firefighting agencies, combined with historic low snowpack, could lead to a catastrophic wildfire season in the West.

Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden warns of catastrophic wildfire season due to funding cuts and low snowpack

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Texas A&M Forest Service enhances wildland fire dispatch center

Texas A&M Forest Service held an open house at its wildland fire dispatch center in College Station on April 8th and used the occasion to recognize wildland fire dispatchers and highlight enhancements at the center that will strengthen statewide emergency response.

Texas A&M Forest Service enhances wildland fire dispatch center

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Is the US Forest Service’s reorganization a ‘dismantling’ or a needed shift? Experts weigh in on wildland fire’s impact

Wildfire NOTD subscriber Tom Lasser, a retired Lt Colonel and CH-47 pilot in the California National Guard, sent along an article in which Wildfire NOTD subscriber Hunter Bassler, a Journalist at the IAWF's Wildfire Today, examined the furor over reorganizing the U.S. Forest Service.

Is the US Forest Service’s reorganization a ‘dismantling’ or a needed shift? Experts weigh in on wildland fire’s impact

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Firefighting Aircraft Market Revenue to Attain USD 9.80 Bn by 2035

A new report titled "Firefighting Aircraft Market Revenue and Trends 2026 to 2035" shows that global firefighting aircraft market revenue was valued at $4.8 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach around $9.8 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 7.40% during forecast period.

Firefighting Aircraft Market Revenue to Attain USD 9.80 Bn by 2035

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The smell of danger – understanding wildfire smoke exposure

In a Wildfire Today article, a researcher at the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Brisbane, Queensland, discussed how scientists are trying to develop rapid, accessible tests that can protect firefighters, military personnel, and the wider community from the escalating health burden of wildfire smoke and polluted air.

The smell of danger – understanding wildfire smoke exposure

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Padilla, Sheehy Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Better Protect and Compensate Federal Firefighters

U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), co-chairs of the bipartisan Senate Wildfire Caucus, announced the Support Our Firefighters Act, which aims to provide federal wildland firefighters with mandatory rest and recuperation time and ensure they are paid for their work.

Padilla, Sheehy Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Better Protect and Compensate Federal Firefighters

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Climate Change Is a Significant Driver of More Dangerous Wildfire Seasons

The Union of Concerned Scientists provided an in-depth investigation into the factors which have led to such an early start to wildfire season in parts of the U.S. typically not prone to such events, placing the blame firmly on climate change.

Climate Change Is a Significant Driver of More Dangerous Wildfire Seasons

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Wildfires an increasing threat for species during climate change

In a new study published in the journal Nature Climate Change, researchers at Sweden's University of Gothenburg showed that wildfires pose an ever-increasing threat to biodiversity, with nearly 84% of species vulnerable to wildfires facing a higher risk by the end of this century.

Wildfires an increasing threat for species during climate change

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Forest Fires in Europe, Middle East and North Africa, 2025

Copernicus announced that a new study, Forest Fires in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa 2025 Advanced Report, produced by the Joint Research Centre and based on data from the European Forest Fire Information System, indicates that in 2025, wildfires blackened a total of 2,242,195 hectares - a 20% increase compared to 2024 and approximately 2.5 times higher than 2023.

Forest Fires in Europe, Middle East and North Africa, 2025

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These maps show exactly where the West might burn this summer

A new report released Wednesday by the National Interagency Coordination Center warned that every state in the West is expected to face an above-normal threat of wildfires this summer due to an ongoing snow drought, rapid snowmelt, and a recent unprecedented March heat wave.

These maps show exactly where the West might burn this summer

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Trump administration to relocate U.S. Forest Service headquarters to Utah

President Donald Trump’s administration will move the U.S. Forest Service headquarters out of the nation’s capital to Salt Lake City, Utah, as part of an organizational overhaul that involves shuttering research facilities in 31 states and concentrating resources in the West.

Trump administration to relocate U.S. Forest Service headquarters to Utah

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