2024 United States wildfires

Background

Season background

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.

Seasonal forecasts

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.

Climatic conditions

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.

Firefighting response and mitigation

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.