The American fire ledger — PL3 held, active fires eased
EASING · September 18, 2026 · NO. 0918
THE FIRE WEATHER
The season total keeps climbing while today's board relaxes. National preparedness holds at PL3 with 56 uncontained large fires, down from 61, and eight new large incidents; Red Flag warnings went 1 to 0. Year to date: 56,161 fires and more than 8.5 million acres, 126 and 147 percent of the ten-year average.
THE RECORD
21 turning points on record since Jul 24 — the 8 most recent shown.
Sep 17▽ slipped down the board
Sep 16easing → active
Sep 15↑ firmed
Sep 13active → easing
Sep 12easing → active
Sep 11▽ eased sharply
Sep 8active → easing
Aug 28↑ moved up the board
WHO IT TOUCHES
Energycooling load rising in one hemisphere while heating load holds in the other, and a hydropower release running to a published plan
CONNECTED
Both American ledgers eased today while both forecasts got worse — uncontained large fires fell 61 to 56 and Red Flag warnings went 1 to 0, heat advisories fell 15 to 10, and behind them the season total stands at 56,161 fires and more than 8.5 million acres while record-challenging heat builds into the weekend.
THE ATMOSPHERE TODAY · EVENT← TODAY'S COVER