The American West Is Quietly Having a Terrible Fire Season
The 2026 fire season in the American West has seen record-breaking acreage burned, with a notable shift from urban-focused fires to widespread rural devastation. Experts highlight that while California has been spared the worst, other states like Oregon, Washington, and Idaho are facing unprecedented smoke and destruction.
Why it matters
The increasing scale and intensity of wildfires pose significant threats to rural infrastructure, air quality, and long-term climate stability in North America.
More land has burned so far this year than in any year in the past decade.
Noah Berger / AP August 18, 2026, 9:22 AM ET Share Save
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