2024 United States wildfires

This page documents wildfires across the United States during 2024, that have burned more than 1,000 acres (400 hectares), produced significant structural damage or casualties, or otherwise been notable. Acreage and containment figures may not be up to date.

While most wildfires in the United States occur from May to November—peaking in August—the length and severity of recent wildfire seasons have increased due to climate shifts. Warmer temperatures are causing snow to melt earlier in spring and delaying fall precipitation, drying out vegetation and soils. Drought and unseasonably hot weather are now more common. Pests such as bark beetles and invasive species like cheatgrass increase forest vulnerability. Dense vegetation and tree cover act as abundant fuel sources.

Climate projections indicate that wildfire seasons in regions like California and the Southwest will worsen as conditions grow warmer and drier over time.

In early 2024, seasonal outlooks by agencies such as the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) predicted a mixed risk profile across the U.S. A wet winter suggested a slower start to fire season, particularly in the Great Basin and Southwest. However, forecasts acknowledged potential early ignitions in mountainous regions if precipitation remained low in late spring.

A historically warm winter—among the hottest ever recorded—led to early snowmelt and low mountain moisture, particularly in the western U.S. By mid-2024, drought had spread, affecting 17% of the U.S. by late July. This dryness contributed to elevated fire risk in multiple regions.

By November 2024, drought conditions had worsened dramatically. A record 87% of the contiguous U.S. experienced some level of drought—an unprecedented level since the Drought Monitor’s inception—impacting areas from the Plains to the East Coast. Fuel conditions deteriorated steadily. In California, vegetation dried out as summer progressed under hot, dry conditions. Fire Danger Ratings frequently reached “High” to “Extreme” in several regions. The operational deployment of the GOES-T satellite bolstered fire detection and monitoring.

By mid-August 2024, approximately 5.3 million acres had burned in the western U.S., triggering fire advisories and large-scale resource deployment. While aerial and ground resources were heavily utilized, proactive mitigation through prescribed burns and fuel management was limited due to tight weather windows and widespread drought.

The 2024 wildfire season developed gradually, with activity increasing through late spring and intensifying during the summer months. Several significant fire events occurred across the Western United States, particularly in Northern California, eastern Washington, and the central Rocky Mountains, where persistent drought and high temperatures created conducive conditions for rapid fire growth.

While overall fire activity in 2024 was lower than some recent peak years, firefighting agencies still faced considerable challenges. Smoke impacts were widespread during August and September, especially from large fires in Montana and Idaho. The use of aerial firefighting resources remained critical, though some operations were hindered by limited visibility and airspace conflicts. Fuel mitigation efforts, including thinning and prescribed fire, showed mixed effectiveness due to limited treatment coverage and complex terrain.