🔥 U.S. Wildfires Have Burned Nearly 2 Million Acres in 2024 So Far

What We’re Showing

A chart tracking the millions of acres burned by U.S. wildfires between 1983–2024, per data from the National Interagency Fire Center.

Key Takeaways

• Wildfires in 2024 have burned 1.9 million acres in the U.S. so far, currently below the 10-year average of 7.2 million acres. However, experts predict a hotter-than-usual summer and autumn, and fire activity is expected to increase as the summer progresses.
• In contrast, 2023 wildfires burned approximately 2.7 million acres, the lowest amount recorded since 1998, thanks to an unusually wet Californian summer last year. Nevertheless, in August, a devastating fire struck Maui, destroying the historic town of Lahaina, and killing at least 100 people.