Honestly, if you're looking at a map of current forest fires in California right now, you’re probably seeing a lot of empty space. That’s a good thing. As of mid-January 2026, the state is mostly quiet. CAL FIRE is currently reporting only about 12 active wildfires across the entire state. Total acreage burned? Just a single acre.
It’s the dead of winter.
But don't let the "zero fatalities" and "zero structures destroyed" stats fool you into thinking the risk is gone. California’s relationship with fire has changed. We don't really have a "fire season" anymore; we have a "fire year." Even today, with the ground damp in many places, there are thousands of emergency responses happening. Most are small—spot fires, equipment mishaps, or escaped debris burns—but they’re a constant reminder that the state is always a few dry days away from a flare-up.
Why the map of current forest fires in California looks different right now
Most people check the map when the sky turns orange and the air smells like a campfire. By then, you’re looking at massive red polygons representing "Mega Fires." Right now, the map is dotted with tiny icons. These represent "Initial Attack" incidents.
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You’ve probably noticed that Northern and Southern California are having two totally different experiences. In the north, we’ve had this "whiplash" weather. One week it’s pouring rain, and the next, a dry wind event sucks the moisture out of the grass. In the south, the Santa Ana winds are still a threat. CAL FIRE’s latest outlook notes that while significant rainfall in late December and early January helped, the "above-normal" fire potential for Southern California only just started to recede.
Tracking the real-time data
If you want to see what’s actually happening, you can't just rely on one source. Here is how the pros actually track this stuff:
- CAL FIRE Incident Map: This is the gold standard for state-managed lands. It shows "Active" versus "Contained" fires. If a fire is under 10 acres, it might not even show up unless it's threatening people.
- NASA FIRMS (Fire Information for Resource Management System): This is for the nerds—and it’s awesome. It uses satellites (like VIIRS and MODIS) to detect "thermal anomalies." Basically, it sees heat from space. If someone is having a massive bonfire, NASA might see it.
- Watch Duty: This app has basically become the "Twitter of fire tracking." It’s run by volunteers and off-duty dispatchers who listen to scanners. It’s often faster than official government maps.
The "Flash Drought" problem
There is a weird thing happening that isn't always obvious on a map of current forest fires in California. It’s called a flash drought. We had a fairly moist start to the winter, but if we go two weeks without rain in February, all that new grass—which grew because of the rain—dies and turns into "fine fuel."
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That’s the trap.
More rain in the winter often means more fire in the summer. All that green grass you see on the hillsides right now? That’s just fuel waiting for July. Experts at the California Wildfire & Forest Resilience Task Force are already watching the snowpack levels. In 2025, the snowpack in the north Sierra plummeted from 80% of normal to 20% in just one month. We are watching for that same pattern now.
Understanding the map symbols
When you’re looking at an active incident, the map will use specific terms. "Contained" does not mean "Out."
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- Contained: A line has been cleared around the fire. It isn't growing, but things inside are still burning.
- Controlled: The fire is out, but they’re watching for hot spots.
- Out: It's done. Pack it up.
What you should actually do today
Since the map of current forest fires in California is quiet, now is the only time you can actually prepare without panicking. Most people wait until they see smoke to clear their brush. That’s too late.
Check your "Defensible Space." California law (PRC 4291) requires 100 feet of clearance around your home. You should focus on "Zone 0" right now—that’s the 0-5 feet directly around your house. Remove the dead leaves from your gutters. If an ember lands in a gutter full of dry pine needles, your roof is gone, even if the main fire is miles away.
Also, get a California Campfire Permit. They’re free and you can get them online at ReadyForWildfire.org. Even if you're just using a portable stove on BLM land, you need one.
Stay informed by keeping the CAL FIRE incident page bookmarked. It’s better to check it once a week when nothing is happening than to try and learn how to use it while you’re packing your car to evacuate.
Next Steps for You:
- Download the Watch Duty app and set alerts for your specific county.
- Check the NASA FIRMS map to see if there are any "heat signatures" near your favorite hiking trails.
- Clear your rain gutters this weekend while the weather is clear; it's the number one way to save a home from ember casts.