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Multiple major wildfires are actively burning across California.
So far in 2026, more than 5,000 wildfires have scorched about 300,000 acres across the Golden State, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said, destroying 100-plus structures and resulting in one death.
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Since Aug. 1, California has seen a total of 85 wildfires ignite, burning more than 150,000 acres, Cal Fire said.
“Wildfires are always possible in California,” the Frontline Wildfire Defense said. “However, during the dry, hot months of spring, summer, and early fall, the risk is greatest.”
Hot, windy weather and dry conditions have hampered firefighting efforts across the state, as has challenging terrain.
As of Aug. 27, about 65% of California was abnormally dry, while 13.9% of the state was experiencing “moderate drought” conditions or worse, according to the latest data from the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Here’s where significant wildfires were burning in California on Tuesday, Sept. 1:
Where are active wildfires in Northern California?
As of Tuesday, Sept. 1, there were 10 active wildfires burning in California that had spread more than 10 acres, according to Cal Fire’s current emergency incidents map.
In Humboldt County, the Mile Post 18 Fire had burned 7,610 acres.
The blaze, which has been burning since Aug. 7, was 95% contained.
As of Monday, Aug. 31, there were no evacuation warnings or orders near the fire, according to the official Mile Post 18 Fire Facebook page.
Crews were transitioning “from active suppression into repairing and stabilizing areas impacted during firefighting operations,” officials said.
As of Tuesday, the 4-1 Fire in Modoc County had burned 230 acres since Aug. 249. It was 90% contained, according to Cal Fire.
The Grant Fire in Alameda County, which scorched 96 acres, was 100% contained as of Tuesday, according to Cal Fire.
Where are wildfires burning on the Central Coast?
Two major wildfires were actively burning in Monterey County as of Tuesday, Sept. 1, sending smoke drifting south into San Luis Obispo County.
The Plaskett Fire, which sparked Aug. 26, has burned 27,580 acres since igniting Aug. 26, making it California’s third-largest wildfire in 2026. It was 1% contained as of Tuesday.
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The state’s fourth largest fire of 2026, the Timber Fire, has burned 25,190 acres since Aug. 8.
As of Tuesday, the blaze was 22% contained.
Evacuation warnings and orders have been issued to areas near the border between Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties.
Are there wildfires in the Central Valley? Southern California?
Early Tuesday morning, the Daulton Fire sparked in Madera County.
Spreading across 18 acres, it reached 100% containment by 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, according to Cal Fire.
Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve in San Diego closed Tuesday due to the Sorrento Fire.
The fire, which has burned 138 acres since Aug. 16, was 95% contained as of Tuesday, Cal Fire said.
The Rose Fire in Kern County, Panarama Fire in Riverside County and Blake Fire in San Bernardino County all started on the same day — Monday, Aug. 31.
The Rose Fire and Blake Fire, which collectively burned 36 acres, were both 100% contained as of Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Panarama Fire was 5% contained after scorching 23 acres.
What are California’s biggest wildfires in 2026?
According to Cal Fire, there have been a total of 5,118 wildfires in California so far in 2026. These blazes have collectively burned 302,226 acres.
Of those, the Bug Fire in Lassen and Sierra counties covered the most land area — 93,733 acres, Cal Fire said. It burned 80,916 acres in Nevada and 12,817 acres in California.
So far, the Biscar Fire in Lassen County has scorched the most land in California. The blaze, which started July 18, had burned 69,355 acres as of Tuesday and was 98% contained.
In 2025, a total of 8,232 wildfires burned a total of 507,817 acres and destroyed 16,627 structures in California, according to Cal Fire.
They included:
- Garnet Fire in Fresno County: 59,844 acres
- Madre Fire in SLO County: 80,779 acres
- Gifford Fire in Santa Barbara County: 131,612 acres
How can I track current wildfires in California?
To track active wildfires, check Cal Fire’s current emergency incidents report.
The agency also has a 3D incident map that is frequently updated to reflect the latest information.
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This story was originally published September 1, 2026 at 1:55 PM.