The Western United States is experiencing fewer wildfires, but those that do occur are causing much more damage, according to a 2026 study (attached). Researchers compared wildfire frequency and damage from two 15-year chunks of data – 1992–2006 and 2007–2020 – and found that 31 percent fewer wildfires occurred even as burned area increased by 40 percent.
Burned area increased in both forested and non-forested areas and across human- and naturally-ignited fires, with the greatest increase (84 percent) observed in lightning-caused forest fires, according to the study. The researchers also discovered that the average day of year of ignition for human-caused wildfires shifted more than 12 days earlier, driven by an increasing number of springtime ignitions across the West.
Fall has also seen a significant uptick in fire destruction. The study points out that burned area associated with ignitions in forested lands during the fall season tripled in the later study period, likely due to increasingly dry forest conditions driven by reduced summer precipitation and warmer temperatures.
By acreage, researchers found:
- wildfires larger than 1,000 acres increased by 3 percent
- wildfires larger than 25,000 acres increased by 63 percent
- wildfires larger than 125,000 acres increased by 136 percent
The researchers note that fire prevention efforts seem to be working, as the number of human-started fires has decreased despite population growth. However, environmental conditions are promoting larger, more destructive individual fires.
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The easiest way to explore RV-friendly National Park campgrounds.
Here’s the definitive guide to National Park System campgrounds where RVers can park their rigs.
Our app is packed with RVing- specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 national parks.
You’ll also find stories about RVing in the parks, tips helpful if you’ve just recently become an RVer, and useful planning suggestions.
