A record-breaking wildfire burning on California’s Santa Rosa Island has scorched more than 5 900 ha (14 600 acres) and continues to threaten rare Torrey pine trees, endangered plant species, and historic structures.
A State of Disaster Emergency has been declared for the state of Colorado due to the rapidly growing Sharpe Fire that has scorched 11 400 ha (28 000 acres). Mandatory evacuations were issued for Campo and surrounding rural areas in southeastern Colorado after the Sharpe Fire crossed from Oklahoma under critical fire weather conditions on Sunday, May 17, 2026.
Wildfires burning across the Texas Panhandle and eastern New Mexico have scorched more than 18 000 ha (44 500 acres) since May 14, prompting evacuations near Amarillo and along the New Mexico–Texas border
A massive forest fire broke out in Ukraine’s Chernobyl exclusion zone on May 7, 2026, following the crash of two drones and has spread across approximately 1 200 ha (2 965 acres), according to the Chornobyl Radiation and Ecological Biosphere Reserve (CREBR). While the fire situation is under control as of May 9, the threat of landmines in the area coupled with strong winds and dry air continues to complicate suppression efforts.
More than 3 000 residents were ordered to evacuate in Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, Japan, by April 25, 2026, as two wildfires ignited on April 22 expanded across mountainous terrain and burned hundreds of hectares. Fire damage to structures has been confirmed as suppression efforts continue.
More than 80 homes have been destroyed by a wildfire in Brantley County, Georgia, as of April 24, 2026, prompting evacuation orders in multiple communities. Approximately 1 000 structures remain under threat as the fire continues to spread under dry and windy conditions, with containment still limited.
Hundreds of wildfires continued burning across southern Georgia on April 22, 2026, prompting authorities to place 91 counties under a State of Emergency for at least 30 days. The fires have burned more than 14 160 ha (35 000 acres) this month, destroyed dozens of structures, and forced evacuations as drought conditions persist.
A large wildfire in Otsuchi, Japan, on April 22, 2026, caused structural damage and evacuations after spreading from woodland into residential zones. At least five buildings were destroyed, with estimates of around 9 ha (22 acres) burned and about 130 people evacuated based on the latest available data.
Wildfires driven by drought conditions spread across Georgia, United States, with at least 112 active fires burning approximately 9 164 ha (22 643 acres) as of April 22. The largest blaze, the Pineland Road Fire in Clinch County, reached 6 686 ha (16 516 acres) with 10% containment, while multiple fires continued to expand under dry and windy conditions.
Amtrak partially suspended rail operations in Florida on April 20, 2026, due to wildfires in Putnam and Clay counties, which have burned approximately 1 093 – 1 214 ha (2 700 – 3 000 acres). Passenger trains were halted as a precaution, including Train 98 from Miami to Jacksonville carrying 232 passengers.
