The West's wildfire season is already breaking records, and it's not over

NPR | By Kirk Siegler

Published August 11, 2026 at 5:17 PM EDT

It's shaping up to be a historic wildfire season in the Western U.S. In Oregon, more acres have already burned than any time in modern history. At least 10 wildland firefighters have also died.

Kirk Siegler

As a correspondent on NPR's national desk, Kirk Siegler covers rural life, culture and politics from his base in Boise, Idaho.

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