A wind-driven wildfire ignited near Hitchcock in Blaine County, Oklahoma, at approximately 14:30-15:30 LT on March 26, 2026, burning 251 ha (620 acres) and reaching 70% containment by March 29. The fire, caused by a rekindled permitted burn, injured multiple firefighters and prompted localized evacuations that were later lifted.
Wildfire activity intensified across the United States in March 2026, with 44 large fires burning approximately 399 800 ha (987 989 acres) as of March 27. Since January 1, more than 611 000 ha (1.51 million acres) have burned from 15 436 fires, well above the 10-year average, while evacuations, burn bans, and localized impacts were reported as containment improved in several key incidents by March 29.
Red Flag Warnings are in effect across the Central Plains and Southeast United States on March 28, 2026, as the National Weather Service (NWS) warns of critical fire weather conditions driven by strong winds, low relative humidity, and dry fuels. Wind gusts up to 80 km/h (50 mph) and humidity levels as low as 10–20% are expected to promote rapid fire ignition and spread. Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged across all warned regions.
A firefighting helicopter crashed above Hout Bay, Cape Town, South Africa, on March 25, 2026, during active wildfire suppression operations. The crash disrupted aerial firefighting efforts in an area experiencing seasonal fire conditions, prompting an investigation by South African National Parks (SANParks).
Critical fire weather conditions are forecast across central New Mexico into the southern High Plains from Thursday morning, March 26, through early Friday, March 27, 2026, as sustained west-southwesterly winds of 30–40 km/h (20–25 mph), relative humidity as low as 5–15%, and record to near-record heat support rapid fire spread and drying of fine fuels.
Red Flag Warnings were in effect across parts of Wyoming, Nebraska, and South Dakota on March 25, 2026, as strong winds, very low humidity, and unseasonably warm temperatures created conditions favorable for rapid wildfire spread. Additional fire weather warnings were also issued in parts of nearby states, while some warnings in Nebraska and Wyoming extended into March 26.
Multiple Red Flag Warnings are in effect across parts of the High Plains through March 21, 2026, as very low humidity, gusty winds, and anomalously warm temperatures support critical fire weather conditions. The National Weather Service warns that any fires that develop could spread rapidly and erratically.
A wildfire outbreak in western and central Nebraska has burned more than 243 000 ha (600 000 acres) since March 12, 2026, according to state officials, including the Morrill Fire, which Gov. Jim Pillen described as the largest wildfire in Nebraska history. One fatality has been confirmed as strong winds and critically dry vegetation fueled a rapid fire spread across the Nebraska Sandhills. The fires have also burned parts of Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge within the Sandhills, a region regarded as the world’s most intact temperate grassland.
Strong winds and very dry air behind a powerful storm system are creating critical fire weather across parts of Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Colorado on March 15, 2026, prompting Red Flag Warnings across multiple forecast areas. Wind gusts may reach 105 km/h (65 mph), while relative humidity is forecast to fall as low as 6 to 15 percent in some areas, supporting rapid fire growth and spread.
A grass fire ignited near 84th Avenue and Huron Street in Thornton, Colorado, at 11:30 LT on February 25, 2026, injuring five people, prompting the evacuation of Pinnacle Charter High School and nearby neighborhoods, and forcing a temporary closure of Interstate 25. The fire burned approximately 4 ha (10 acres) before it was contained at around 14:30 LT.
