WILDFIRES, SMOKE & EVACUATIONS · UNITED STATES
Check Current U.S. Wildfires and Smoke
Different official sources answer different questions. Start with the national incident map, use InciWeb for a named fire, AirNow for smoke, and local authorities for evacuation orders.
If local officials issue an evacuation order, follow it immediately. National maps may lag and do not replace county, tribal, state or local emergency instructions. Call 911 for an emergency.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT SOURCE
Four checks in the right order
- Use the NIFC map for the national picture and current fire perimeters.
- Search InciWeb by incident name or location for updates posted by the team managing that incident.
- Use AirNow’s Fire and Smoke Map for current particle pollution, smoke plumes and health guidance.
- Use the affected county, sheriff, emergency-management agency or official alert system for evacuation zones and orders.
WHAT EACH MAP DOES
Fire location is not evacuation status
- NIFC identifies national wildland fire activity and maps; its current perimeter product is updated daily.
- InciWeb provides incident-specific maps, updates, contacts and closures when an incident is listed.
- AirNow shows smoke-related PM2.5, fire locations, smoke plumes and forecast outlooks where available.
- Local authorities—not One Minute Updates, NIFC or AirNow—issue evacuation warnings and orders for your address.
IMPORTANT LIMITATIONS
Why maps can disagree
Fire perimeters, satellite detections, incident reports and smoke measurements update on different schedules. A symbol may represent a detection rather than a staffed incident, and smoke may travel far from the fire producing it. Always check timestamps and the source legend.
QUICK QUESTIONS
Before relying on a map
Which source should I use for evacuation orders?
Your local sheriff, fire agency, county emergency-management office or official alert system. FEMA confirms that evacuation orders are issued by local authorities.
Does AirNow show fire containment?
No. Use incident information from NIFC or InciWeb. AirNow is primarily for smoke and air-quality conditions.
Why isn’t a small fire listed on InciWeb?
Not every incident receives an InciWeb page. Check local fire and emergency-management agencies as well as the national map.