If you’re looking at the news today, or just staring out a window in the Golden State, you’re probably asking the same thing everyone else is: what part of California is on fire right now?
Honestly, the answer changes by the hour. One minute it's a quiet morning in the Sierras, and the next, a plume of smoke is visible from thirty miles away. As of mid-January 2026, the state is in a weird, tense transition period. We’re coming off a devastating 2025 season where the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire basically rewrote the record books for destruction in Los Angeles County.
Right now, though? It’s a bit of a mixed bag. While the massive infernos of last year are mostly contained, the threat hasn't vanished. Fire season isn't just a summer thing anymore; it's a year-round reality that keeps Cal Fire crews on their toes even in the "off" months.
Where the Smoke is Rising Today
Currently, most of the active "fire" isn't the kind of wall-of-flame nightmare you see on the evening news. It's more localized. For instance, in Riverside County, fire crews recently responded to a vegetation fire on Red River Road in Palm Desert. It was small—contained quickly—but it’s a reminder that even in January, the brush is dry enough to catch.
Up north, things are a lot quieter. The snowpack in the high Sierras and the recent rains in the Pacific Northwest-adjacent counties have dampened the fuel. But don't let that fool you. According to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), the "significant fire potential" for the southern half of California remains above normal for early 2026.
✨ Don't miss: Economics Related News Articles: What the 2026 Headlines Actually Mean for Your Wallet
Why? Because of a weak La Niña.
Basically, La Niña tends to push storms further north, leaving Southern California high and dry. When you combine that with those nasty Santa Ana winds, you get a recipe for winter wildfires. We saw it in January 2025, and the experts at Cal Fire are watching the maps like hawks right now to make sure it doesn't happen again.
Why "Fire Season" is a Term of the Past
People used to think of wildfires as a July-to-October problem. That’s just not true anymore.
Last year’s Eaton Fire ignited on January 7th. It ended up torching over 14,000 acres and destroying more than 10,000 structures in the Altadena and Pasadena areas. That’s a "winter" fire. It happened when people were supposed to be wearing sweaters and drinking hot cocoa, not evacuating their homes with wet towels over their faces.
🔗 Read more: Why a Man Hits Girl for Bullying Incidents Go Viral and What They Reveal About Our Breaking Point
When you ask what part of California is on fire, you have to look at the "fuel."
- Grasslands: These dry out in days, not months. One hot afternoon in the Inland Empire can turn a green hill into a tinderbox.
- Timber: The high-elevation forests in places like Siskiyou and Shasta counties take longer to dry out, but once they go, they stay on fire for months.
- The Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI): This is the fancy term for where houses meet the brush. This is where the most danger lies in 2026.
The Recovering Zones: Altadena and Pacific Palisades
If you drive through Altadena today, you’ll see "Altadena Strong" signs everywhere. The recovery is slow. Judy Matthews from the Altadena Chamber of Commerce has been vocal about how hard it is for small businesses to bounce back after a catastrophic fire. About half of the local businesses were impacted by the Eaton Fire.
The Palisades Fire was just as brutal. It burned over 23,000 acres right on the edge of the Pacific Ocean. It’s weird to think about—flames licking the coast—but that’s the reality of modern California. While these areas aren't "on fire" right this second, they are still "hot" in terms of economic and emotional recovery.
How to Check the Map in Real-Time
If you’re smelling smoke and want a definitive answer on what part of California is on fire, don't just wait for the 6 PM news. Use the tools the pros use.
💡 You might also like: Why are US flags at half staff today and who actually makes that call?
- Cal Fire Incident Map: This is the gold standard. They drop a pin for every fire over 10 acres.
- Watch Duty App: This is a fan favorite. It’s run by volunteers and often has updates faster than official government channels because they monitor radio scanners 24/7.
- PurpleAir: Sometimes the fire is miles away, but the smoke is right in your living room. This map shows you real-time air quality from sensors in people's backyards.
Honestly, the best thing you can do is keep your "Go Bag" ready. I know, it sounds paranoid. But in a state where a fire can grow by "three football fields a minute"—which is exactly what happened during the Palisades Fire—waiting for an official evacuation order might be too late.
Actionable Steps for the Current Week
Don't just read the news; do something about it. If you live in a high-risk zone (which, let's be real, is half the state), here is what you need to do right now:
- Clean your gutters: Seriously. Embers from a fire miles away can land in a pile of dry leaves on your roof and burn your house down before the main fire even gets close.
- Check your insurance: Many people in Altadena found out too late they were underinsured. Call your agent and ask if your policy actually covers the current cost of rebuilding.
- Sign up for Genasys Protect: This is the system most California counties use for evacuation orders. If your phone doesn't buzz when the fire starts, you're in trouble.
- Clear 100 feet of "Defensible Space": Cal Fire’s Anthony Schultz recently noted that data-driven GIS mapping shows fuel treatments—like clearing brush—actually work. It gives firefighters a "fighting chance" to save your home.
The "whiplash weather" we’re seeing in 2026—alternating between soaking rain and bone-dry heat—makes the landscape unpredictable. Stay alert, stay informed, and keep an eye on the wind.