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2025 Likely To Be a Heavy Wildfire Season in North America, Federal Officials Warn
Federal officials are predicting a heavy North American fire season for this year, according to the latest forecasts. Thru-hikers on western trails such as the Pacific Crest, Continental Divide, and Great Divide trails should keep an eye out for potential disruptions.
This spring’s rapid snowmelt, coupled with abnormally warm and dry weather anticipated throughout much of western North America this summer, are raising the risk of significant fires throughout the season, according to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC).
NIFC fire outlook for North America in summer 2025, via.
The NIFC is predicting a higher-than-average risk of significant fire potential in June across parts of the US, including the Southwest, parts of California and Nevada, and the inland Northwest. By July, the risk will go down in the southwest due to the onset of monsoon season, but at the same time the high-risk area will expand to cover much of California, the Northwest, and Northern Rockies. These regions are expected to remain at above-average significant fire potential throughout September.
Private weather forecasting service Accuweather also predicted in April that roughly 2 million more acres would burn in the US this year compared to the annual average.
Meanwhile, Canada has already seen a heavy start to fire season. With nearly 8 million acres already burned, 2025 is poised to be a record-breaking year for Canadian fires, and not in a good way. Much of western and central Canada is already facing above-average significant fire potential and will remain that way throughout the summer.
The vast majority of wildfires are caused by humans (due to discarded cigarettes, firworks gone awry, campfires left unattended, etc.). Hikers should always be cautious with fire in the backcountry, but they should be extra careful this year given the elevated danger. Check local regulations and guidance around campfires before hitting the trail.
Featured image: National Interagency Fire Center 2025 outlook for June (left) and July, via.
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Comments 1
And let’s not forget the larger human impact of Human driven climate change warming the West and North and making it drier as well. Which also “encourages” fires as well.