Ready For Wildfire
by Evan Burks, USDA Forest Service
May 5, 2026 The warning signs flashed early this year. After a dismal winter snowpack across many western high elevations, forests are drying faster and by midsummer may be ripe for extreme fire conditions. Communities face mounting risk, but federal fire leaders are keeping the nation’s wildfire response system ready.
“All of our predictive models point to a challenging summer,” says Deputy Chief Sarah Fisher, head of Fire and Aviation Management for the U.S. Forest Service. “But we have an incredible workforce and an interagency system built to adapt and meet challenges head-on.”
The Forest Service Wildfire Force
Wildfires are burning longer, moving faster and behaving less predictably than they did even a decade ago. To meet that challenge, the Forest Service is ensuring their national firefighting network of over 28,000 responders are ready.
The network includes more than 90 Interagency Hotshot Crews, 40 Type 2 Initial Attack crews and hundreds of additional Type 2 crews, which are hand crews with different capabilities for quickly containing and controlling wildfires. They are supported by more than 900 Forest Service fire engines and another 1,600 contracted engines and pieces of heavy equipment. 
U.S. Forest Service wildland fire resources, including hotshot crews, Type 2 crews, engines, heavy equipment, aircraft, airtankers, fire prevention units and fire lookouts, with photos of equipment and a lookout tower. (Image created by USA Patriotism! from graphics by USDA Forest Service OC.)
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The Forest Service also covers the sky, managing more than 400 aircraft including helicopters, water scoopers and 29 large airtankers that can operate nationwide. These aircraft can respond to fast-changing conditions. They support missions for both the Forest Service, Department of the Interior and states.
Together this entire system of responders and logistical support forms a unified response structure. It moves crews, aircraft and equipment where they are needed most, regardless of agency boundaries.
“Our strength comes from working as one system in full partnership with the Department of the Interior,” Fisher said. “When conditions change, we adapt quickly and overcome.”
While the Forest Service is committed to aggressive suppression, federal fire leaders say long-term solutions depend on reducing fuels and making forests more resilient before wildfires start.
Each year, the Forest Service reduces wildfire risk across 3 million to 4 million acres of land, more than any other federal agency. Through active management of forests and grasslands, wildfire behavior is moderated and the odds that homes and communities can withstand future wildfires increase. Cutting overgrown forests and prescribed burning also increase firefighter safety.
“We can’t control the weather, but we can influence how fire behaves on the ground,” Fisher said. “That’s where active management makes all the difference for firefighters and communities.”
Federal officials stress the importance of prevention and public awareness because most wildfires are human caused. States, tribes, local governments and private landowners play critical roles in reducing risk and preparing their communities.
“We are doing our part to train our employees and be ready,” Fisher said. “But we need everyone in this effort because fire doesn’t stop at property lines.”
During May’s Wildfire Awareness Month, the Forest Service emphasizes that prevention is the first line of defense. At the same time the agency ensures responders are trained, certified and available to move at a moment's notice. Through this shared responsibility and strong interagency coordination federal firefighters are prepared for another challenging season.
Every day. Everywhere. For everyone. They’re ready. USDA Forest Service | Forest Service Wildfire Force |
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