Triple-I: 2026 Wildfire Season Highlights Expanding Risk Across the US

Business Wire

Extreme heat, drought and growing development in the wildland-urban interface underscore the need for resilience and mitigation

MALVERN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Wildfire risk is no longer confined to the Western United States. A new Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) members-only Issues Brief finds extreme heat, drought conditions and continued population growth in wildfire-prone areas are contributing to elevated wildland fire exposure across multiple regions of the country, including the Southeast and Great Plains.

According to the brief, more than 35,000 fires burned over 3 million acres nationwide during the first half of 2026, significantly exceeding 10-year averages for the same period. States such as Florida, Georgia and Nebraska experienced record-setting wildfire activity, while Western states continued to contend with persistent threats driven by heat, droughts and insufficient snowpack from the 2025-26 winter season.

“Wildfire is increasingly a national risk issue rather than a regional one,” said Sean Kevelighan, CEO, Triple-I. “As populations continue to grow in wildfire-prone areas and weather conditions become more extreme, resilience and mitigation efforts are more important than ever for protecting lives, property and communities.”

Triple-I’s Issues Brief highlights new research showing 42% of Western U.S. land impacted by wildland fires between 2001 and 2024 burned during or immediately after a heat wave. Heat waves dry vegetation and the atmosphere, creating favorable conditions for wildfire ignition and spread. The number of heat-wave days across Western forests has nearly doubled since 2001, amplifying wildfire risks.

While major wildfire events remain relatively rare, their impacts can be catastrophic, according to Craig Clements, Ph.D., professor of meteorology and director of the Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center at San José State University and a Triple-I non-resident scholar.

“Catastrophic wildfire is only 1% of all fires,” said Clements. “It’s that one day that's super windy or dry, that a fire starts in the right place at the wrong time and has the opportunity to spread out of control.”

The report also noted wildfire exposure continues to expand as more Americans move into the wildland-urban interface (WUI) – the zone where developed areas meet undeveloped vegetation. Approximately one-third of all homes in the continental U.S. located in WUI areas represent more than 46 million homes exposed to wildfire risk. California remains the state with the largest concentration of homes facing extreme wildfire exposure.

Despite these challenges, advances in wildfire science, modeling, insurance innovation and mitigation strategies are helping communities become more resilient.

“Wildfire resilience requires community-wide commitment,” said Kevelighan. “Insurers play an important role by supporting mitigation, improving risk understanding and encouraging investments that make homes and neighborhoods more resilient. Ultimately, reducing wildfire losses requires collaboration among homeowners, communities, policymakers and the insurance industry."

About the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I)

Since 1960, the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I®) has been the trusted voice of risk and insurance, delivering unique, data-driven insights to educate, elevate and connect consumers, industry professionals, policymakers, and the media. An affiliate of The Institutes, Triple-I represents a diverse membership accounting for nearly 50% of all U.S. property/casualty premiums written. Our members include mutual and stock companies, personal and commercial lines, primary insurers and reinsurers – serving regional, national and global markets.

About The Institutes

The Institutes® are a not-for-profit dedicated to helping people and organizations succeed in the essential disciplines of risk management and insurance. Through numerous affiliated business units and brands, we educate, elevate, and connect students, professionals, and organizations by equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and collaboration they need to tackle the most complex risk management and insurance challenges. Backed by more than 115 years as a trusted knowledge partner, we empower people and organizations to create a more resilient world.