Fire
Drought can be a contributing factor to wildfire. Dry, hot, and windy weather combined with dried out (and more flammable) vegetation can increase the probability of large-scale wildfires.
Drought and Wildfire
The relationship between drought and fire is complex. The timing, intensity, and frequency of drought events have divergent impacts on fuel flammability and fire behavior. Rapidly drying abundant fuels in forest understories and grasslands after a wet spring can feed larger fires. Prolonged drought can limit fire occurrence as the availability of fuels (e.g., grasses) is reduced due to lack of precipitation.
This map shows active large wildfires from the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), alongside current drought conditions from the U.S. Drought Monitor. View the latest NIFC situation report for more information.
The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center produces daily fire weather outlooks, which delineate areas of the continental U.S. where pre-existing fuel conditions, combined with forecast weather conditions, will result in a significant threat for the ignition and/or spread of wildfires. This map shows the 1-day fire weather outlook. Learn more.
| Value | Map Hex Color |
|---|---|
| Active Fire | #76349a |
| Value | Map Hex Color |
|---|---|
| D0 | #ffff00 |
| D1 | #ffcc99 |
| D2 | #ff6600 |
| D3 | #ff0000 |
| D4 | #660000 |
| Value | Map Hex Color |
|---|---|
| Elevated | #ffb67b |
| Critical | #fe7677 |
| Extremely Critical | #fe7afb |
| Isolated Dry Thunderstorms | #bd998a |
| Scattered Dry Thunderstorms | #501011 |
The USFS Active Fire Mapping Program is an operational, satellite-based fire detection and monitoring program that provides near real-time detection and characterization of wildland fire conditions
The National Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook is intended as a decision support tool for wildland fire managers, pr
The USFS Active Fire Mapping program provides near real-time detection and characterization of wildland fire conditions in a geospatial context for the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii and
A selection of NOAA fire and smoke products.
The National Weather Service's Fire Weather Outlooks are intended to delineate areas of the continental U.S.
Fire Research And Management Exchange System (FRAMES) provides a method of exchanging information and transferring technology among wildland fire researchers, managers, and other stakeholders in an