National Wildfire Preparedness Level Lowered to PL 2
Fire managers have decreased the national preparedness level following a decline in new and active wildland fires.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Emergency Response
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The National Interagency Fire Center lowered the national preparedness level to PL 2 on Tuesday morning. This shift reflects a decrease in both initial attack incidents and significant wildland fire activity across the country.
Why it matters
The change indicates that resource managers now have sufficient capacity to handle ongoing wildfire incidents with existing personnel. It signals a move toward a more stable management environment for nationwide firefighting operations.
The nation is currently at PL 2, with 31 uncontained large fires remaining nationwide. There are 9,701 firefighters and support personnel assigned to manage these ongoing incidents.
The players
National Interagency Fire Center
This organization serves as the primary coordination body for wildfire incident management and resource allocation across the United States.
National Interagency Coordination Center
This entity facilitates the logistical movement of firefighting resources and equipment between different geographic areas of the country.
The details
Resource managers are now utilizing light ordering procedures through the National Interagency Coordination Center to maintain control over current incidents. The decision follows a measurable decline in significant wildland fire activity across the United States.
Timeline
The national preparedness level dropped to PL 2 on September 22, 2026.
Seasonal Patterns
The transition to PL 2 follows the established protocol for the National Interagency Fire Center's National Preparedness Level system, which guides resource allocation during peak and off-peak fire seasons. This reduction marks a departure from higher alert levels previously maintained to combat widespread wildfire threats.
While the national preparedness level has decreased, residents in fire-prone regions should continue to monitor local alerts for localized hazards. Always follow safety directives from local emergency management authorities regarding potential fire threats.
The takeaway
The reduction to PL 2 indicates a successful moderation of fire risks as seasonal conditions evolve across the country. Managing resources through light ordering allows the national system to remain flexible while maintaining adequate coverage for remaining incidents.
Further reading
Learn more about federal response protocols on the Emergency Response page.
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