1

National Interagency 

Coordination Center 

Wildland Fire 

Summary and Statistics 

Annual Report 

2021

Dixie Fire, California 
2

Table of Contents

Preface ..........................................................................................................................................................1

2021 Fire Environment Summary .................................................................................................................2

Na�onal Fire Ac�vity Synopsis......................................................................................................................7

Significant Incidents Over 40,000 Acres in 2021...........................................................................................8

Wildfires and Acres.....................................................................................................................................10

Large Wildfires by Geographic Area and Agency ........................................................................................11

Overall Wildfire Ac�vity Reported to NICC .................................................................................................12

Wildfires by Geographic Area .....................................................................................................................12

Wildfires by Agency.....................................................................................................................................13

Lightning Fires and Acres by Geographic Area............................................................................................14

Human Caused Fires and Acres by Geographic Area ..................................................................................14

Wildfires and Acres Burned by Agency and GACC: 2011-2021...................................................................15

Na�onal Preparedness Levels.....................................................................................................................16

Na�onal Preparedness Level Summary ......................................................................................................17

Requests Created Na�onally in IROC ..........................................................................................................18

Requests Created Na�onally to Support FEMA ..........................................................................................18

Requests Processed through the NICC........................................................................................................18

Department of Defense Mobiliza�ons........................................................................................................19

Modular Airborne Fire Figh�ng Systems (MAFFS)..................................................................................19

Distributed Real-Time Infrared (DRTI).....................................................................................................20

Interna�onal Resource Mobiliza�ons.........................................................................................................20

Incident Management Team Mobiliza�ons ................................................................................................20

Na�onal Incident Management Organiza�on and Area Command Teams.............................................20

Type 1 Incident Management Teams......................................................................................................20

Type 1 IMT Assignments by Geographic Area.........................................................................................21

Type 2 Incident Management Teams......................................................................................................21

Type 2 IMT Assignments by Geographic Area.........................................................................................21

Crew Mobiliza�ons......................................................................................................................................22
3 

Crew Requests Summary by Reques�ng Agency and Geographic Area .....................................................23

Engine and Tac�cal Water Tender Mobiliza�ons........................................................................................24

Engine and Tac�cal Water Tender Requests Summary by Reques�ng Agency...........................................25

Engine and Tac�cal Water Tender Requests Summary by Reques�ng Geographic Area ...........................26

Overhead Mobiliza�ons..............................................................................................................................27

Overhead Requests Summary.................................................................................................................27

Helicopter Mobiliza�ons.............................................................................................................................28

Helicopter Requests Summary by Reques�ng Agency ...............................................................................29

Helicopter Requests Summary by Reques�ng Geographic Area ................................................................29

Fixed Wing Aircra� Mobiliza�ons...............................................................................................................30

Airtanker Mobiliza�ons...............................................................................................................................30

Fixed Wing Aircra� Requests Summary by Reques�ng Agency..................................................................31

Fixed Wing Aircra� Requests Summary by Reques�ng Geographic Area...................................................32

Large Transporta�on Aircra� ......................................................................................................................33

Exclusive-Use and Charter Large Transport Requests Summary by Des�na�on Agency and Geographic 

Area.........................................................................................................................................................33

Light Cargo and Passenger Flights Summary by Des�na�on Agency and Geographic Area...................34

Equipment Services Mobiliza�on................................................................................................................35

Equipment Services Requests Summary by Reques�ng Area and Geographic Area..............................35

Radio and Weather Equipment Mobiliza�ons............................................................................................36

Radio and Weather Equipment Request Summary by Reques�ng Agency and Reques�ng Geographic 

Area.........................................................................................................................................................36

Na�onal Report of Wildland Fires and Acres Burned by State ...................................................................37

NICC Benchmarks........................................................................................................................................48

Iden�fier Legend.........................................................................................................................................49

Acronyms and Terminology.........................................................................................................................50
1 

Preface 

Statistics used in this report were gathered from the Situation Report and Incident Status 

Summary (ICS-209) programs1

. Previous National Interagency Coordination Center (NICC) 

annual reports and other sources were also used in this document. The statistics presented 

here are intended to provide a national perspective of annual fire activity, but they may not 

reflect official figures for a specific agency. The statistics are delineated by agency and 

Geographic Area. This document and prior year annual reports are available electronically on 

NICC’s Intelligence web page: 

https://www.predictiveservices.nifc.gov/intelligence/intelligence.htm 

Resource mobilization statistics used in this report were gathered from the Interagency 

Resource Ordering Capability system (IROC), which tracks tactical, logistical, service, and 

support resources mobilized by the national incident dispatch coordination system. Statistics 

presented in this report are resources requested by any of the ten Geographic Area 

Coordination Centers (GACCs) and processed through NICC, apart from incident management 

teams2

. Requests by FEMA are placed to NICC through Emergency Support Function (ESF) #4 

(Firefighting). The resource ordering process and procedures may be found in the National 

Mobilization Guide. The National Mobilization Guide can be found on the NICC web site 

(https://www.nifc.gov/nicc/) under reference materials. 

Geographic Area Coordination Centers

1 Situation Report and ICS-209 data are considered situational and provisional, as they are reported while wildfire activity and 

incidents are occurring, plus they do not account for all wildland fires and their final outcomes. Some wildfires, including many that 

are suppressed solely by private citizens or local fire departments (not by wildland fire management agencies), are never reported to 

any Dispatch Center that submits Situation Report data. Additionally, ICS-209 reports are not required for the small, short duration 

wildfires that comprise the vast majority of overall fire occurrence annually. For official data and summary statistics, one must 

contact each of the individual agencies affected and refer to their final fire reports and other authoritative sources of agency-specific 

information.

2

 This report only tallies resource requests processed through NICC, with the exception of Incident Management Team 

mobilizations, it excludes the substantial number of IROC orders that were placed and filled within the same GACC. It also excludes 

any resource usage not tracked in IROC, such as local dispatch of initial attack resources.
2 

2021 Fire Environment Summary 

January – March 

Below normal precipitation was observed across much of the United States (US), especially the 

contiguous US (CONUS), in January and February. Above normal temperatures were also 

prevalent in January, with the strongest anomalies on the northern Plains and across the Great 

Lakes into the Northeast. Record setting cold temperatures developed across the central US 

during the first half of February leading to widespread snow cover and significant infrastructure 

impacts. Due to these cold temperatures, much of the US experienced well below normal 

temperatures for the month except the Great Basin, California, the Southwest, and Florida. Much 

of the West observed below average precipitation and cooler than normal temperatures in March. 

The Colorado Front Range through the central Plains into the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys 

observed above average precipitation, but the northern and southern Plains, Florida, and the 

Northeast were drier than average. Hawai’i had record setting rains in March that included 

widespread and severe flooding. Like previous months, the warmest and driest anomalies were 

present across the northern Plains.

By the end of March, snow water equivalent (SWE) across much of the West and Alaska remained 

near to above normal, with the highest values in Washington and northern Oregon according to 

data from the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Most areas in the Southwest 

and much of the Sierra had below average SWE and snowpack. Drought continued for much of 

the West, with large swaths of extreme to exceptional drought in the Southwest, Great Basin, and 

on the West Slope. Portions of the Plains, especially the northern Plains and southern High Plains, 

had drought expand and intensify in early 2021. According to the National Centers for 

Environmental Information (NCEI), Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah had their driest April 

– March period in 126 years, with California and Colorado having their third and fourth driest April 

– March period, respectively.

Large fire activity was minimal in the West in January and February but scattered large fire activity 

continued in the Southern Area. A strong Santa Ana wind event affected southern California in 

mid-January with an increase of fire activity, but widespread and areas of heavy precipitation 

reduced fire potential across southern California and the Southwest later in the month. Winddriven fire spread on the northern and central Plains resulted in several large fires in mid-January, 

and dry and windy conditions led to short duration wind-driven fires across portions of the Plains, 

including snow free areas on the High and northern Plains, in February.

Large fire activity increased across the US in March, especially in Southern, Eastern, Rocky 

Mountain, Northern Rockies, and Southwest Geographic Areas. Dry and windy conditions led to 

short duration wind-driven large fires across these areas periodically through March, including 

numerous large fires on March 29. A Fuels and Fire Behavior Advisory was in effect for northwest 

Minnesota due to fires carrying in all fuel types, including peat, and the potential for rapid fire 

spread.

April – June 

After a dry April with mostly above average temperatures west of the Continental Divide, SWE 

dropped to below normal across much of the West according to NRCS. The Southwest and much 

of the Sierra had well below average SWE, but above average SWE was noted in parts of 

Washington and Alaska at the end of April. Above average precipitation in northern Minnesota 
3 

into the western Great Lakes helped improve fuel conditions enough to rescind the Fuels and Fire 

Behavior Advisory issued in March. Additionally, well above average rainfall along the central Gulf 

Coast and in Florida eased concerns for above normal significant fire potential May into June. 

Snowpack across most of the West dropped to well below average values in May, including some 

record low values in the Sierra. Above average rainfall was observed across the central and 

southern High Plains and eastward across much of Texas into the Lower Mississippi Valley. Dry 

conditions continued for eastern North Dakota into the Great Lakes, but timely precipitation and 

near to below normal temperatures helped limit significant fire activity during May.

Numerous all-time record high temperatures were set in the Pacific Northwest, northern Great 

Basin, and Northern Rockies at the end of June as part of a historic heat wave. Lightning activity 

increased dramatically across much of the West, including Alaska, during multiple episodes in 

June. Lightning episodes were also preceded and followed by very hot and dry weather, including 

a heat wave across the broader Desert Southwest around mid-June and the historic heat wave 

across the Pacific Northwest, Northern Rockies, and northern Great Basin in late June. 

Widespread temperatures above 100°F, including many stations above 105-110°F, were observed 

across the Pacific Northwest, Northern Rockies, and northern Great Basin. Portland reached 

116°F, SeaTac 108°F, and Quillayute 110°F, which broke its previous all-time record high 

temperature by 11°F. Dallesport, WA and Hermiston, OR set state records for high temperature 

at 118°F. The first surge of monsoonal moisture arrived in the Southwest, Colorado, and southern 

Great Basin during the last few days of June.

By the end of June, more than 90% of the West was in drought, with over half the region in 

extreme to exceptional drought (i.e., the highest two categories), becoming the most expansive 

and intense drought for the West this century at the time. Drought continued to intensify in 

California and parts of the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies, while persisting in the Great 

Basin and Southwest except for small reductions in New Mexico. Drought expanded in the Great 

Lakes and New England but improved in Texas and the Carolinas. Multiple Fuels and Fire 

Behavior Advisories were issued around early June and continued into July or August for the 

central Sierra, Utah and southern Nevada, Minnesota, and portions of Arizona and New Mexico. 

At one point in July, seven Fuels and Fire Behavior Advisories were in effect simultaneously.

While the year-to-date acres burned remained well below the 10-year average at the end of April, 

there were notable large fires. This included two Type 1 Incident Management Teams being 

assigned to large fires in the Southwest during the last ten days of April, but the absence of critical 

fire weather patterns in areas with very dry fuels helped limit significant fire activity in May. Fuels 

remained very dry across large swaths of the Southwest, Great Basin, and California, with fuel 

dryness levels in much of the West being two to four weeks ahead of the typical seasonal 

progression. 

Fire activity increased significantly across the West during June. Most of the significant fire activity 

was in the Southwest, Colorado, Utah, and Montana through mid-June, with increasing fire activity 

across portions of California in mid to late June. The national Preparedness Level (PL) increased 

to four on June 22, the second earliest occurrence in PL history (i.e., since 1990, when PL recordkeeping began).

July – September 

Lightning activity continued across much of the West and Alaska during July. An abundant dry 

thunderstorm outbreak occurred July 7-8 across the interior Northwest and Northern Rockies that 
4 

ignited numerous large fires throughout Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana. This lightning 

episode was also preceded and followed by very hot and dry weather. Several other episodes of 

mixed wet and dry thunderstorms occurred throughout the month. A strong start to the monsoon 

brought beneficial rainfall to the southern Great Basin, southeast California, southern Colorado, 

and Southwest where many locations received two to five times their normal precipitation for July. 

A surge of monsoon moisture at the end of July produced a period of wet thunderstorms for the 

Great Basin, Colorado, and Wyoming.

Lightning activity continued across much of the West in August but decreased across Alaska. A 

round of thunderstorms in late July into early August ignited numerous large fires across northwest 

California into the Oregon and Washington Cascades. This lightning episode was also followed 

by periods of hot and dry weather into mid-August. A strong surge of monsoon moisture brought 

beneficial rainfall to Utah, western Colorado, southeast Idaho, western Wyoming and much of 

Montana. The monsoon continued across the Southwest through August while the Southeast 

continued to see above normal rainfall. The tropical Atlantic was active with Tropical Storm Henri 

making landfall in Rhode Island on August 22, and Hurricane Ida in Louisiana on August 29.

Fire activity continued to increase significantly during July. Significant fire activity moderated in 

the Southwest, Utah, and Colorado due to the monsoon arrival, but increased markedly across 

the Northwest, northern California, Idaho, and Montana. The national PL increased to five on July 

14, the third earliest occurrence in PL history. The area of extraordinary dry fuels in the 

westernmost states extended to Hawai’i, where the Mana Road fire, one the largest wildfires in 

the state’s history, burned 40,000 acres on the Big Island in late July and early August. Fire activity 

continued at very high levels throughout the West through August. Significant fire activity 

moderated across Idaho and Montana during the latter half of August, but increased significantly 

across the Northwest, northern California, and Minnesota. 

Through August, more than 95% of the West remained in drought, with over half the region in 

extreme to exceptional drought. This became the most expansive and intense drought for the 

West this century according to the US Drought Monitor. Drought continued to intensify in northern 

California, northern Great Basin, Minnesota, and parts of the Pacific Northwest and Northern 

Rockies. However, some improvement in the drought was observed over the Southwest and 

southern Utah due to a robust monsoon. Drought was alleviated in much of the Great Lakes and 

Northeast by the end of August. Fuels and Fire Behavior Advisories were added for central and 

southern Idaho, northern California, the Northern Rockies, the Sierra Front, and south-central and 

central Oregon in July. All these advisories were valid into August with most continuing into 

September.

The months of July and August are when the nation’s largest wildfires ignited and burned 

prolifically in northern California and southern Oregon. Ultimately, just five fires would collectively 

account for more than two million acres burned. The River Complex, Caldor, and Monument fires 

each burned between 200,000 and a quarter-million acres in California, and Oregon’s Bootleg fire 

burned more than 400,000 acres. The nation’s largest fire of 2021, the Dixie fire in northern 

California, would ultimately grow to 963,000 acres, falling just short of a million acres and 

becoming the largest single wildfire in California’s history3

. 

3 2020’s August Complex, which ultimately burned over a million acres, remains California’s largest historic 

wildfire incident, but it was comprised of multiple fires that eventually merged. 
5 

The fires in northern California and the Pacific Northwest remained very active in early September, 

including the Dixie and Caldor fires. Lightning spread across wide swaths of California, central 

and eastern Oregon, and Nevada on September 9-10, but enough precipitation fell to limit 

significant fire activity and initial attack. However, the Windy fire and KNP Complex started from 

this lightning and remained active through the end of the month. Additionally, the Cougar Peak, 

Dixie, Antelope, and Boundary fires were very active ahead of the lightning on September 9, all 

producing deep pyrocumulus or pyrocumulonimbus. 

Fire activity moderated in Minnesota due to multiple rounds of rain during the first half of 

September, with fire activity eventually abating in the Pacific Northwest, Idaho, and parts of 

Montana due to cooler temperatures, higher RH, and timely precipitation with shorter days by the 

end of September. The Haystack fire did make a four-plus mile run northeast of Butte, MT on 

September 18 amid strong southwest winds, with the Trail Creek and Alder Creek Fires having 

multiple days of extreme fire behavior during the month before activity diminished towards the 

end of the month. An uptick of large fire activity was also observed in Oklahoma.

The national PL remained at five through September 20, spanning 68 days, which is the longest 

period since PL record keeping began in 1990. On September 28, the national PL dropped to 

three, which at 99 days is the longest period at PL four and five combined. However, year-to-date 

acres burned at the end of September remained below the 10-year average.

Nearly 90% of the West remained in drought, with more than half of the West in the highest two 

categories of drought at the end of September. Above average precipitation was observed in much 

of the Pacific Northwest and into the northern Idaho Panhandle, and northwest and northeast 

portions of California during September. The rest of California and much of the Great Basin and 

Rocky Mountains had below average precipitation. Much of the CONUS had above normal 

temperatures except for western Washington and much of the Southeast where near to below 

normal temperatures were observed.

October-December

Above normal temperatures and dry conditions remained across the West Coast during the first 

half of October. The arrival of a strong atmospheric river October 23-25 substantially mitigated 

the dry conditions across much of the West. Numerous daily and 24-hour rainfall records were 

set during this event across California, Nevada, and Oregon. Precipitation across much of the US 

was above normal for October, but notable drier than normal areas included the Carolinas, central 

and southern High Plains, and portions of central Montana. Above normal temperatures were 

observed in October east of the Rockies, with near to below normal temperatures from the West 

Coast through the Intermountain West.

Precipitation across the CONUS was below normal for November while portions of New Mexico, 

Oklahoma, and Texas observed their driest November on record according to NCEI. Very dry 

conditions also continued through November for eastern Colorado, Kansas, and central Montana. 

An active storm pattern returned to the West by mid-December with abundant precipitation. 

However, as the storms moved into the Plains, downslope drying continued the very dry pattern 

across the central and southern Plains, the strongest of which on December 15 brought wind 

gusts to 100 mph across portions of eastern Colorado and Kansas. 

Precipitation for the last quarter of 2021 was above normal for much of the West into the northern 

Plains with a good start to the snowpack. According to NCRS, SWE on December 31 was above 
6 

normal for most basins in California, Oregon, Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, and Arizona, while 

SWE over the remainder of the West was near normal except for below normal SWE in New 

Mexico. However, the central and southern Plains, Lower Mississippi Valley, and Carolinas into 

Virginia all had their top 10 driest October to December periods on record. Temperatures were

much above normal for most of the CONUS, with the central and southern Plains recording the 

warmest October to December period on record according to NCEI. Drought developed or 

increased in intensity across much of the central and southern Plains, Carolinas, Virginia, and 

Lower Mississippi Valley while drought improvement was observed across much of the West. 

Alaska continued to cool with abundant snow over much of the state by early December, but an 

unusually warm and wet storm brought icing and very heavy snow to parts of interior Alaska 

December 26, with Nome and Fairbanks recording their wettest December on record. Lee side 

locations in Hawai’i continued dry through November, but a strong Kona Low December 5-7 

brought heavy rains and flooding to much of the state, with heavy snow falling across the higher 

peaks of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea.

Fire activity continued to wane across much of the West through October. However, a downslope 

wind event across north-central Montana on October 4, and Santa Ana winds on October 11 

started several new large fires, including the Alisal fire west of Santa Barbara, California. The 

atmospheric river event on October 23-55 effectively ended the 2021 fire season for the 

Northwest, northern California, and Great Basin Geographic Areas, as well as the Northern 

Rockies west of the Continental Divide. However, fire activity began to increase across the Plains 

and portions of the Southern Geographic Area in October.

Fire activity was minimal for much of the West through November but continued to increase across 

the Plains and portions of the Southern Area. Several large fires were observed across the plains 

of New Mexico, Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas during periodic wind events 

throughout November. Large fires also occurred across portions of Alabama, Kentucky, West 

Virginia, Virginia, and the Carolinas due to dry northwest winds behind passing cold fronts. Other 

large fires occurred across portions of Arkansas, southern Missouri, Mississippi, and Alabama 

during November as well. 

December saw a marked increase in fire activity across the central and southern Plains as well 

as the Front Range. A strong downslope wind event on December 1 started two large fires across 

north-central Montana with the West Wind fire burning through Denton, Montana. Periodic wind 

events and large fires continued across the Plains through the month, but the most significant 

event occurred December 15 with wind gusts up to 100 mph. Over a dozen large fires erupted 

that day over Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. This unusual late-season event resulted in the 

nation’s tenth largest fire of 2021, the Four County fire in central Kansas, which spanned over 30-

miles run burned almost all of its 122,000 acres on the same day it ignited. Strong downslope 

winds gusting to 110 mph along the Colorado Front Range on December 30 resulted in the 

Marshall fire, which burned over 1,000 structures in the communities of Superior and Louisville. 

Large fires also continued through December across portions of the Lower Mississippi Valley and 

central Appalachians due to the continued dry conditions.
7 

National Fire Activity Synopsis 

Nationally, there were 58,985 wildfires reported in 2021, compared to 58,950 wildfires reported in 

2020. Reported wildfires consumed 7,125,643 acres nationally, compared to 10,122,336 acres in 

2020. 

In 2021, the reported number of wildfires and acres burned nationwide were remarkably similar 

to their respective 10-year averages; however, there was considerable variation among the 

Geographic Areas. In general, there can be wider variance from year to year (and in comparison 

to averages) in acres burned, while number of fires tends to vary to a lesser extent. Alaska Area 

and Southern Area, which are two Geographic Areas that sometimes account for especially large 

percentages of the nation’s total acres burned in any given year, saw fewer fires and burned 

significantly less acreage than normal in 2021. Similarly, Great Basin had a relatively normal 

number of fires, but burned far fewer acres than normal in 2021. As a result, the national totals 

for fires and acres burned were close to average, even though some other Geographic Areas saw 

abnormally high levels of activity in 2021. 

In comparison to their 10-year average fire occurrence, 2021 was a particularly active year for 

four Geographic Areas. Northern California experienced a near normal number of ignitions, but 

saw some of those fires grow to enormous size, causing the overall acreage burned to significantly 

exceed the area’s 10-year average (further notable because the annual average itself had 

increased considerably after the busy 2018 and 2020 fire seasons in Northern California). In 

Northwest and Eastern Areas, the combination of more fires and large sizes resulted in above 

average activity. That trend was amplified most in Northern Rockies, which tallied significantly 

more fires and burned more than twice the normal acreage in comparison with its 10-year 

averages.

A total of 5,972 structures were reported destroyed by wildfires in 2021, including 3,577 

residences, 2,225 minor structures, and 237 commercial/mixed residential structures. In 2021, 

California accounted for the highest number of structures lost in one state: 2,031 residences, 196 

commercial/mixed residential structures and 1,136 minor structures. Regarding structures lost, 

the year’s most destructive fire occurred at the very end of 2021. When the Marshall fire in 

Colorado ignited on the afternoon of December 30, and burned more than 1,000 residences in 

just a few hours during an extreme wind event. 

Requests for firefighting resources placed with NICC during the 2021 fire season were near or

above the 10-year average in all categories. Filled requests for crews, engines, and overhead 

were well above their respective 10-year averages. While aircraft usage has almost certainly not 

declined, orders for helicopters and heavy airtankers were at or below their respective 10-year 

averages due to the amount of “surge” aircraft made available in 2021. 
8

Significant Incidents Over 40,000 Acres in 2021

Name GACC State Start 

Date

Contain or Last 

Report Date

Size 

(acres) Cause* Estimated Cost

Dixie NO CA 7/13 10/23 963,309 U $637,428,216

Bootleg NW OR 7/6 8/13 413,717 L $100,900,000

Monument NO CA 7/31 10/25 223,124 L $163,739,291

Caldor NO CA 8/14 10/20 221,835 H $271,147,512

River Complex NO CA 7/30 10/24 199,359 L $95,340,595

Telegraph SW AZ 6/4 7/2 180,757 H $36,400,000

Richard Spring NR MT 8/8 8/20 171,130 L $6,500,000

Antelope NO CA 8/1 10/14 145,632 U $74,950,300

McFarland NO CA 7/30 9/15 122,653 L $43,960,000

Four County RM KS 12/15 12/23 121,622 H NR

Snake River 

Complex NR ID 7/8 8/18 109,444 L $9,498,972

Schneider Springs NW WA 8/4 10/25 107,322 L $53,955,225

Beckwourth 

Complex NO CA 7/3 9/21 105,670 U $542,539,952

Windy SO CA 9/9 11/10 97,528 L $78,421,741

McCash NO CA 7/31 10/27 94,962 L $53,350,000

Cougar Peak NW OR 9/7 10/20 91,810 U $26,000,000

Johnson SW NM 5/20 7/15 88,918 L $7,500,000

Boundary GB ID 8/10 10/21 88,757 L $12,002,000

KNP Complex SO CA 9/12 12/15 88,307 L $170,000,000

Rafael SW AZ 6/20 7/13 78,065 L $11,000,000

Mescal SW AZ 6/1 6/16 72,250 H $12,075,000

Cub Creek 2 NW WA 7/16 9/26 70,168 H $27,788,529

Devil’s Knob 

Complex NW OR 8/3 10/29 70,110 L NR

Tamarack GB NV 7/16 10/7 68,637 L $37,000,000
9

* L – Lightning H – Human U – Unknown/Under Investigation NR – Not Reported

Information in the above table was derived from the Sit/209 Application. This information may not reflect final official figures.

Name GACC State Start 

Date

Contain or Last 

Report Date

Size 

(acres) Cause* Estimated Cost

P F NR MT 7/27 8/3 66,134 U $1,800,000

Trail Creek NR MT 7/8 10/28 62,013 L $40,000,000

Whitmore NW WA 8/3 10/16 58,234 L $20,000,000

Cedar Creek NW WA 7/10 9/26 55,842 L $40,042,323

Woods Creek NR MT 7/21 10/21 55,449 L $27,000,000

Dry Gulch NW WA 7/7 8/28 55,102 L $3,679,000

Munson Creek AK AK 6/25 7/27 54,050 L $1,073,724

Dry Creek AK AK 6/14 7/22 52,382 L $1,464,000

Rough Patch 

Complex NW OR 7/29 11/10 50,564 L NR

Summit Trail NW WA 7/13 10/16 46,329 L $58,000,000

Dixie NR ID 7/5 11/4 43,802 L $30,000,000

Green Ridge NW OR 7/9 10/13 43,694 L $4,330,000

Backbone SW AZ 6/17 7/14 40,855 L $13,200,000

Mana Road NO HI 8/1 8/9 40,000 H NR
10

Wildfires and Acres

Large fires are defined in the National Mobilization Guide as fires that burn a minimum of 

100 acres in timber fuel types, 300 acres in grass and brush fuel types, or are otherwise 

managed by a Type 1 or 2 Incident Management Team or NIMO. 

There were 943 large wildfires and complexes reported in 2021 (derived from ICS-209 

reports submitted through the SIT/209 Application). Large wildfires represented less than 

2% of total wildfires reported nationally in 2021. The map below depicts the locations of 

these fires.
11

Large Wildfires by Geographic Area and Agency 

In 2021, most incidents that met “large fire” criteria occurred in Southern Area and on 

lands protected by a state-level or other non-federal fire management organization.
12

Overall Wildfire Activity Reported to NICC

In 2021, there were 58,985 wildfires that burned 7,125,643 acres. The total number of fires and 

acres burned in 2021 were similar to both the five and ten-year national averages. However, as 

explained previously, 2021 was a notably active year for certain Geographic Areas. 

Wildfires by Geographic Area

Overall, the distribution of the number of wildfires in 2021 was like previous years, with the 

Southern Area and Eastern Area accounting for nearly half of the fires in the United States. 
13

The charts below show the 2021 fire activity for each Geographic Area as a percentage of its 

annual average from the past ten years. 

Wildfires by Agency

The distribution of wildfires by protection agency in 2021 was like prior years. About onequarter of the nation’s fires occurred on federally protected lands. Most wildfires, however, 

ignited on private lands or other areas under state or local protection.
14

Lightning Fires and Acres by Geographic Area

Human Caused Fires and Acres by Geographic Area
15 

Wildfires and Acres Burned by Agency and GACC: 2011-2021 
16

National Preparedness Levels

In 2021, the National Preparedness Level (PL) was elevated and decreased accordingly: 

• Elevated from PL 1 to PL 2 on April 1

• Elevated from PL 2 to PL 3 on June 15

• Elevated from PL 3 to PL 4 on June 22

• Elevated from PL 4 to PL 5 on July 15

• Decreased from PL 5 to PL 4 on September 21

• Decreased from PL 4 to PL 3 on September 29

• Decreased from PL 3 to PL 2 on October 14

• Decreased from PL 2 to PL 1 on October 22
17

National Preparedness Level Summary
18 

Requests Created Nationally in IROC 

2021 was another busy year for the wildland firefighter and dispatch community. Over 600,000 

requests were entered nationwide into IROC, compared to approximately 547,000 in 2020. 

These statistics include requests that were filled, cancelled, or unable to fill. 

Requests Created Nationally to Support FEMA 

Mobilizing overhead resources to support COVID-19 Vaccination Centers across the United 

States dominated the spring of 2021. These resources were requested by the Federal 

Emergency Management Agency utilizing ESF#4 activation. Over 3,000 resources from various 

agencies supported the vaccination effort. 

Requests Processed through the NICC 

The following statistics pertain to requests processed through the National Interagency 

Coordination Center, except for Incident Management Teams, which are captured on a national 

mobilization scale. They are broken down by requesting Geographic Area and Requesting 

Agency. Five- and ten-year averages are also provided. 
19

Department of Defense Mobilizations 

In 2021, NICC processed one military half battalion request, which was provided by the US Army 

(Joint Base Lewis-McChord) to support wildfires in California. The number of military battalions 

and task forces requested through NICC and deployed in the last ten years is shown below.

Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems (MAFFS)

NICC processed 8 requests for MAFFS in 2021. MAFFS were activated on July 23rd and 

released on September 29th. National statistics are listed below:

• Total missions: 945

• Total employment hours: 942

• Total retardant drops: 929

• Total gallons of retardant dropped: 2,583,204
20 

Distributed Real-Time Infrared (DRTI)

Two RC-26 aircraft with DRTI capability were activated on July 8th and released on October 15th. 

National statistics are listed below: 

• Total missions: 143

• Total employment hours: 524

• Total fires reported to dispatch: 265

• Total fires mapped: 268

• Total days activated: 99

International Resource Mobilizations 

International assistance to the United States: Canada sent 2 crews and one overhead to provide 

support in the Pacific Northwest in 2021. Australia sent one 737 airtanker to provide national 

support. 

Incident Management Team Mobilizations 

National Incident Management Organization and Area Command

Teams 

National Incident Management Organization (NIMO) teams were assigned to five wildfire 

incidents and two support assignments for a total of 148 days. 

An Area Command Team was assigned to one wildfire incident for a total of 9 days. 

Type 1 Incident Management Teams 

Sixteen national Type 1 Incident Management Teams (IMTs) were available in 2021 and were 

mobilized to 66 incidents. Of those assignments, 62 were to wildland fires and 4 were to nonwildland fire incidents. Type 1 IMTs were assigned for 968 days.
21 

Type 1 IMT Assignments by Geographic Area

The following charts depict the mobilization of Type 1 IMTs by sending and receiving Geographic 

Area.

Type 2 Incident Management Teams 

Thirty-three Type 2 Incident Management Teams (IMTs) were available in 2021. Type 2 

IMTs were mobilized to 138 incidents and assigned for 1,852 days. 

Type 2 IMT Assignments by Geographic Area 

The following charts depict the mobilization of Type 2 IMTs by sending and receiving Geographic 

Area.
22

Crew Mobilizations 

The NICC received 4,605 crew requests in 2021. Of those requests: 1,243 were filled, 

1,504 were canceled, and 1,858 were UTF. The NICC received 1,983 orders for Type 1 

crews, 1,421 orders for Type 2 crews, and 1,201 orders for Type 2 IA crews.
23

Crew Requests Summary by Requesting Agency and Geographic Area
24

Engine and Tactical Water Tender Mobilizations

The NICC received 6,444 engine requests in 2021. Of those requests: 3,149 were filled, 

1,442 were canceled, and 1,853 were UTF. 

The NICC also received 194 requests for tactical water tenders. Of those requests: 94 

were filled, 41 were canceled, and 59 were UTF.
25

Engine and Tactical Water Tender Requests Summary by Requesting Agency
26

Engine and Tactical Water Tender Requests Summary by Requesting Geographic Area
27

Overhead Mobilizations

The NICC received 38,387 overhead requests in 2021. Of those requests: 15,703 were filled, 

9,284 were canceled, and 13,400 were UTF. 

Overhead Requests Summary
28

Helicopter Mobilizations

NICC received 1,042 orders for Type 1, 2, and 3 helicopters in 2021. Of those requests: 

495 were filled, 242 were canceled, and 305 were UTF. Individual statistics are listed 

below: 

• Type 1 Helicopter requests: NICC received 449 requests - 251 were filled, 84 were 

canceled, and 114 were UTF. 

• Type 2 Helicopter requests: NICC received 294 requests - 114 were filled, 85 were 

canceled, and 95 were UTF. 

• Type 3 Helicopter requests: NICC received 299 requests - 130 were filled, 73 were 

canceled, and 96 were UTF.
29

Helicopter Requests Summary by Requesting Agency

Helicopter Requests Summary by Requesting Geographic Area
30

Fixed Wing Aircraft Mobilizations

Fixed wing aircraft include heavy airtankers, multi-engine airtankers (CL-215/415), single-engine 

airtankers (SEATs), lead planes, aerial supervision modules (ASM), air attack, infrared, and 

smokejumper aircraft. NICC received 6,296 requests for fixed wing aircraft in 2021. Of those 

requests: 4,226 were filled, 816 were canceled, and 1,254 were UTF. 

Airtanker Mobilizations

NICC received 1,054 requests for very large and heavy airtankers in 2021. Of those requests: 

623 were filled, 230 were canceled, and 201 were UTF. 

NICC received 372 requests for multi-engine and single engine airtankers. Of those requests: 

241 were filled, 88 were canceled, and 43 were UTF.
31

Fixed Wing Aircraft Requests Summary by Requesting Agency
32

Fixed Wing Aircraft Requests Summary by Requesting Geographic Area
33

Large Transportation Aircraft

In 2021, there was one exclusive-use contract for large transportation aircraft. The contract was 

filled with a B737-2T4 jet aircraft. This exclusive-use jet flew 11 times. There was also one 

additional large aircraft charter flight arranged by NICC. 

Exclusive-Use and Charter Large Transport Requests Summary by 

Destination Agency and Geographic Area
34

Light Cargo and Passenger Flights Summary by Destination Agency 

and Geographic Area

In support of other resource requests, NICC arranged 15 cargo transportation flights in 2021. 
35

Equipment Services Mobilization

NICC received 177 requests for mobile food services in 2021. Of those requests: 144 

were filled, 27 were canceled, and six were UTF.

NICC received 222 requests for mobile shower services in 2021. Of those requests: 193 

were filled, 21 were canceled, and eight were UTF. 

Equipment Services Requests Summary by Requesting Area and 

Geographic Area
36

Radio and Weather Equipment Mobilizations

NICC received 987 requests for radio kits and weather equipment in 2021. Of those requests: 921 were filled, 60 were canceled, and 

six were UTF. 

Radio and Weather Equipment Request Summary by Requesting Agency and Requesting 

Geographic Area
37 

National Report of Wildland Fires and Acres Burned by State (Figures are from the SIT/209 Application)

Alabama

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

FS 26 2,201 0 0 26 2,201

FWS 2 1 0 0 2 1 

NPS 3 2 0 0 3 2 

OTHR 0 0 0 0 0 0 

ST 1,009 19,851 0 0 1,009 19,851

Totals: 1,040 22,055 0 0 1,040 22,055

Alaska

Agency Fires –

Human Acres – Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres – Total

FS 18 6 1 0 19 5 

BLM 39 656 77 156,963 116 157,619

DVF 205 9,232 44 86,500 249 95,732

Totals: 262 9,894 122 243,463 384 253,357

Arizona

Agency Fires –

Human Acres – Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres – Total

BIA 498 13,903 102 10,966 600 24,868

BLM 137 81,564 50 14,758 187 96,322

DVF 168 8,067 29 10,252 197 18,319

FS 443 233,357 307 148,730 750 382,087

FWS 11 266 4 2,446 15 2,712

NPS 10 119 14 1 24 120

Totals: 1,267 337,276 506 187,153 1,773 524,428

Arkansas 

Agency Fires –

Human Acres – Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres – Total

FS 82 6,653 8 3,416 90 10,069

FWS 0 0 1 0 1 0 

NPS 1 1 1 0 2 1 

OTHR 285 6,933 0 0 285 6,933

Totals: 368 13,587 10 3,416 378 17,003

California 

Agency Fires –

Human Acres – Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres – Total

BIA 81 180 2 20,883 83 21,063

BLM 151 6,921 32 1,252 183 8,172

C&L 15 513 0 8,838 15 9,351
38 

Agency Fires –

Human Acres – Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres – Total

CDF 7,524 202,065 71 71,219 7,595 273,284

FS 868 854,124 399 956,186 1,267 1,810,310

FWS 19 552 1 0 20 552

NPS 38 21 77 109,399 115 109,420

OTHR 2 1,513 0 0 2 1,513

USN 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Totals: 8,698 1,065,889 582 1,167,777 9,280 2,233,666

Colorado 

Agency Fires –

Human Acres – Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres – Total

BIA 13 17 98 1,078 111 1,095

BLM 39 129 316 17,831 355 17,960

C&L 151 20,590 119 4,201 270 24,791

FS 125 419 130 3,921 255 4,340

FWS 4 0 1 0 5 0 

NPS 5 1 14 3 19 4 

USA 2 5 0 0 2 5 

USAF 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Totals: 339 21,161 678 27,034 1,017 48,195

Connecticut 

Agency Fires –

Human Acres – Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres – Total

FWS 0 0 0 0 0 0 

ST 59 127 1 0 60 127

Totals: 59 127 1 0 60 127

Delaware

Agency Fires –

Human Acres – Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres – Total

FWS 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Totals: 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Florida 

Agency Fires –

Human Acres – Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres – Total

BIA 6 19 0 0 6 19

DOD 63 9,728 0 0 63 9,728

FS 68 1,336 7 3,378 75 4,714

FWS 4 4 6 1,462 10 1,466

NPS 31 6,320 12 2,935 43 9,255

OTHR 75 1,777 1 46 76 1,823

ST 1,715 66,470 242 9,992 1,957 76,462

USAF 32 2,008 0 0 32 2,008
39 

Agency Fires –

Human Acres – Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres – Total

Totals: 1,994 87,662 268 17,813 2,262 105,475

Georgia

Agency Fires –

Human Acres – Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres – Total

DOD 2 2 0 0 2 2 

FS 11 166 1 1 12 167

FWS 0 0 0 0 0 0 

NPS 0 0 0 0 0 0 

OTHR 0 0 0 0 0 0 

ST 2,125 10,939 0 0 2,125 10,939

Totals: 2,138 11,107 1 1 2,139 11,108

Hawaii

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

C&L 1 40,000 0 0 1 40,000

FWS 0 0 0 0 0 0 

NPS 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Totals: 1 40,000 0 0 1 40,000

Idaho

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

BIA 32 930 4 108 36 1,038

BLM 114 7,928 48 7,916 162 15,844

BOR 3 86 1 0 4 86

C&L 39 5,176 18 1,461 57 6,637

DOD 1 6 0 0 1 6 

FS 143 4,069 380 279,610 523 283,679

FWS 0 0 0 0 0 0 

NPS 0 0 0 0 0 0 

ST 391 14,042 158 118,268 549 132,310

Totals: 723 32,237 609 407,363 1,332 439,600

Illinois

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

FS 16 98 0 0 16 98

FWS 4 5 0 0 4 5 

ST 9 116 0 0 9 116

Totals: 29 219 0 0 29 219
40 

Indiana 

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

DOD 0 0 0 0 0 0 

FS 10 24 0 0 10 24

FWS 1 277 0 0 1 277

NPS 21 521 0 0 21 521

ST 2 14 0 0 2 14

Totals: 34 836 0 0 34 836

Iowa

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

BIA 4 290 0 0 4 290

FWS 0 0 0 0 0 0 

ST 183 7,660 0 0 183 7,660

Totals: 187 7,950 0 0 187 7,950

Kansas

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

BIA 17 1,261 0 0 17 1,261

C&L 33 157,869 1 3,377 34 161,246

FWS 2 49 0 1,195 2 1,244

NPS 2 231 0 0 2 231

USA 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Totals: 54 159,410 1 4,572 55 163,982

Kentucky

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

FS 19 1,227 0 0 19 1,227

NPS 0 0 0 0 0 0 

OTHR 0 0 0 0 0 0 

ST 704 21,632 0 0 704 21,632

Totals: 723 22,859 0 0 723 22,859

Louisiana 

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

FS 97 5,986 0 0 97 5,986

FWS 1 50 0 0 1 50

ST 409 4,267 0 0 409 4,267

Totals: 507 10,303 0 0 507 10,303
41 

Maine

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

BIA 0 0 0 0 0 0 

FWS 0 0 0 0 0 0 

NPS 0 0 0 0 0 0 

ST 614 364 22 13 636 377

Totals: 614 364 22 13 636 377

Maryland 

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

DOD 15 3 1 0 16 3 

FWS 0 0 0 0 0 0 

ST 90 1,159 6 0 96 1,159

Totals: 105 1,162 7 0 112 1,162

Massachusetts

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

DOD 0 0 0 0 0 0 

NPS 0 0 0 0 0 0 

ST 588 1,439 0 0 588 1,439

Totals: 588 1,439 0 0 588 1,439

Michigan 

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

BIA 14 2 0 0 14 2 

FS 141 6,392 4 0 145 6,392

FWS 0 0 0 0 0 0 

NPS 1 4 2 521 3 525

ST 266 2,346 7 24 273 2,370

Totals: 422 8,744 13 545 435 9,289

Minnesota

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

BIA 551 12,438 0 0 551 12,438

FS 89 217 38 29,604 127 29,821

FWS 44 14,141 0 0 44 14,141

NPS 6 29 0 0 6 29

ST 1,336 12,887 1 89 1,337 12,976

Totals: 2,026 39,712 39 29,693 2,065 69,405
42 

Mississippi

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

FS 83 5,764 4 98 87 5,862

FWS 1 1 0 0 1 1 

NPS 6 11 0 0 6 11

OTHR 828 15,163 0 0 828 15,163

Totals: 918 20,939 4 98 922 21,037

Missouri

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

FS 136 10,558 0 0 136 10,558

NPS 4 139 0 0 4 139

ST 1,391 29,565 0 0 1,391 29,565

Totals: 1,531 40,262 0 0 1,531 40,262

Montana

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

BIA 590 43,824 83 63,548 673 107,372

BLM 19 934 80 36,129 99 37,063

C&L 733 99,411 221 240,850 954 340,261

FS 328 33,272 236 224,129 564 257,401

FWS 1 1 7 849 8 850

NPS 2 0 3 0 5 0 

ST 191 3,053 79 1,678 270 4,731

Totals: 1,864 180,495 709 567,183 2,573 747,678

Nebraska

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

BIA 20 582 0 0 20 582

DOF 619 20,999 119 2,635 738 23,634

FS 6 2,580 18 476 24 3,056

FWS 2 22 1 0 3 22

NPS 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Totals: 647 24,183 138 3,111 785 27,294

Nevada

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

FWS 53 5 3 6 56 11

BLM 142 7,898 151 24,246 293 32,144

C&L 108 2,271 11 2,553 119 4,824

DOD 1 19,800 7 27,601 8 47,401

FS 18 6 52 36,911 70 36,917
43 

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

NPS 8 1 3 2,122 11 2,123

ST 7 6 1 0 8 6 

Totals: 337 29,988 228 93,439 565 123,427

New Hampshire 

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

DOD 0 0 0 0 0 0 

FS 1 0 0 0 1 0 

ST 279 96 0 0 279 96

Totals: 280 96 0 0 280 96

New Jersey

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

DOD 6 4,703 0 0 6 4,703

FWS 4 2 0 0 4 2 

ST 896 1,947 0 0 896 1,947

Totals: 906 6,652 0 0 906 6,652

New Mexico 

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

OTHR 0 0 0 0 0 0 

BIA 81 518 31 1,302 112 1,820

BLM 30 222 56 54 86 276

DOE 1 1 0 0 1 1 

FS 125 6,763 153 107,279 278 114,042

FWS 1 0 1 0 2 0 

NPS 1 0 5 1 6 0 

SF 166 4,942 21 2,710 187 7,651

Totals: 405 12,446 267 111,347 672 123,792

New York

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

FWS 0 0 0 0 0 0 

ST 131 544 6 6 137 550

Totals: 131 544 6 6 137 550

North Carolina 

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

OTHR 0 0 0 0 0 0 

BIA 27 27 0 0 27 27

FS 32 1,560 1 1 33 1,561
44 

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

FWS 4 1,499 1 1 5 1,500

NPS 2 119 0 0 2 118

ST 4,989 13,563 34 253 5,023 13,815

USM 61 8,816 0 0 61 8,816

Totals: 5,115 25,583 36 255 5,151 25,838

North Dakota 

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

BIA 843 18,201 14 976 857 19,177

BLM 0 0 0 0 0 0 

FS 18 16,855 8 467 26 17,322

FWS 23 2,749 0 0 23 2,749

NPS 20 3,220 4 4 24 3,224

ST 16 6,875 0 0 16 6,875

Totals: 920 47,900 26 1,447 946 49,347

Ohio

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

FS 38 88 0 0 38 88

ST 486 1,327 0 0 486 1,327

Totals: 524 1,415 0 0 524 1,415

Oklahoma 

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

BIA 591 34,392 1 0 592 34,392

FWS 16 415 0 0 16 415

OTHR 260 4,907 0 0 260 4,907

ST 859 73,522 0 0 859 73,521

Totals: 1,726 113,236 1 0 1,727 113,235

Oregon

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

BIA 79 12,755 3 1 82 12,756

BLM 149 2,114 178 11,967 327 14,081

C&L 26 1,653 3 1 29 1,654

DL 1 0 0 0 1 0 

DOF 797 33,687 183 11,175 980 44,862

FS 376 127,097 391 628,214 767 755,310

FWS 4 93 1 0 5 93

NPS 3 1 8 20 11 21

Totals: 1,435 177,400 767 651,378 2,202 828,777
45 

Pennsylvania

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

FS 16 35 0 0 16 35

FWS 1 0 0 0 1 0 

ST 1,330 2,857 3 0 1,333 2,857

Totals: 1,347 2,892 3 0 1,350 2,892

Rhode Island 

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

ST 99 178 0 0 99 178

Totals: 99 178 0 0 99 178

South Carolina 

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

FS 38 805 1 20 39 825

FWS 1 1,275 0 0 1 1,275

NPS 1 1 0 0 1 1 

OTHR 577 3,331 2 202 579 3,532

ST 3 25 0 0 3 24

USA 7 1,679 0 0 7 1,679

Totals: 627 7,115 3 222 630 7,337

South Dakota 

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

BIA 557 8,404 44 666 601 9,070

BLM 3 59 3 15 6 74

C&L 2 1,966 7 54 9 2,020

FS 33 182 63 78 96 260

FWS 1 4 0 0 1 4 

NPS 3 137 4 811 7 948

ST 114 30,464 34 780 148 31,244

Totals: 713 41,216 155 2,404 868 43,620

Tennessee

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

FS 18 2,061 0 0 18 2,061

NPS 4 1 0 0 4 1 

OTHR 516 2,832 5 1 521 2,833

ST 7 42 0 0 7 42

Totals: 545 4,936 5 1 550 4,937
46 

Texas 

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

C&L 4,840 34,359 62 608 4,902 34,967

FS 23 1,104 1 0 24 1,104

FWS 33 6,385 5 4,210 38 10,595

NPS 6 3,306 2 0 8 3,306

OTHR 0 0 0 0 0 0

ST 587 99,350 17 18,936 604 118,286

Totals: 5,489 144,504 87 23,754 5,576 168,258

Utah 

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

BIA 17 1,790 25 878 42 2,668

BLM 88 2,981 186 18,043 274 21,024

DOD 6 2,601 0 0 6 2,601

FS 75 10,196 155 6,143 230 16,339

FWS 1 0 1 0 2 0 

NPS 4 5 10 1 14 6 

ST 367 5,744 150 12,481 517 18,225

Totals: 558 23,317 527 37,546 1,085 60,863

Vermont

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

FS 1 1 0 0 1 1 

ST 86 152 3 4 89 156

Totals: 87 153 3 4 90 157

Virginia 

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

BLM 0 0 0 0 0 0 

FS 26 167 4 27 30 194

NPS 4 1 0 0 4 1 

ST 515 6,345 18 156 533 6,501

Totals: 545 6,513 22 183 567 6,696

Washington 

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

BIA 121 1,934 39 144,445 160 146,379

BLM 66 1,702 1 2,321 67 4,023

C&L 83 825 0 0 83 825

DNR 1,200 111,745 95 34,559 1,295 146,304

FS 118 41,580 92 293,172 210 334,752
47 

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

FWS 34 13,299 1 0 35 13,299

NPS 6 988 2 164 8 1,152

ST 3 16,243 2 11,245 5 27,488

Totals: 1,631 188,316 232 485,906 1,863 674,222

West Virginia 

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

FS 7 149 0 0 7 149

NPS 2 23 0 0 2 23

ST 739 7,332 4 0 743 7,332

Totals: 748 7,504 4 0 752 7,504

Wisconsin 

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

BIA 0 0 0 0 0 0 

FS 14 15 1 1 15 16

FWS 0 0 0 0 0 0 

NPS 0 0 0 0 0 0 

ST 994 2,118 31 25 1,025 2,143

Totals: 1,008 2,133 32 26 1,040 2,159

Wyoming 

Agency Fires -

Human Acres - Human Fires – Lightning Acres – Lightning Fires – Total Acres - Total

BIA 56 93 2 23 58 116

BLM 43 1,892 43 5,659 86 7,551

BOR 0 0 0 0 0 0 

C&L 166 7,022 98 8,275 264 15,297

FS 34 8,778 69 18,811 103 27,589

FWS 1 0 0 0 1 0 

NPS 3 0 3 0 6 0 

SF 7 979 15 1,964 22 2,943

Totals: 310 18,764 230 34,732 540 53,496
48 

NICC Benchmarks 

The figures below represent national-level totals for fire activity and numbers of resources 

mobilized through the National Interagency Coordination Center, except for Incident 

Management Team mobilizations, which are displayed in totality of mobilizations nationwide. 

Records set during the year of this report are in bold. 

Category Record Year Record 2021 Stats

Wildfires 2006 96,385 68,988

Wildfire Acres Burned 2015 10,125,149 7,577,183

Significant Fires 2006 1,801 1,289

Days at Preparedness Level 1&2 2010 365 288

Days at Preparedness Level 4&5 2021 99 99

Days at Preparedness Level 5 2021 68 68

Type 1 IMT Mobilizations (fire & non-fire) 2002 85 41

Type 2 IMT Mobilizations (fire & non-fire) 2021 138 138

Dept. of Defense Battalions/Task Forces 1988 8 0

MAFFS (millions of gallons delivered) 1994 5.03 0.16

Tactical Crew Mobilizations 2003 1,796 1,292

Engine Mobilizations 2021 3,149 3,149

Overhead Mobilizations 2000 17,898 12,937

Type 1 Helicopter Mobilizations 2016 334 211

Type 2 Helicopter Mobilizations 2006 323 120

Heavy Airtankers (VLAT/LAT/MAFFS) 2017 2,298 468

Large Transport Flights 1994 552 23

Mobile Food Units 1994 195 81

Shower Units 1994 256 102
49 

Identifier Legend 

Interagency Coordination Centers

NICC: National Interagency Coordination Center

NIFC: National Interagency Fire Center

CIIFC: Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre 

AK: Alaska Area

EA: Eastern Area

GB: Great Basin Area

NO: Northern California Area

NR: Northern Rockies Area

NW: Northwest Area

RM: Rocky Mountain Area

SA: Southern Area

SW: Southwest Area

SO: Southern California Area

Federal Government Agencies

FS: Forest Service

BIA: Bureau of Indian Affairs

BLM: Bureau of Land Management

FWS: Fish and Wildlife Service

NPS: National Park Service

FEMA: Federal Emergency Management Agency

ESF4: Emergency Support Function, Firefighting

NWS: National Weather Service

DOE: Department of Energy

DOD: Department of Defense

International Partners

AU: Australia

CN: Canada

MX: Mexico

NZ: New Zealand

Other Providers/Ownership

CNTY: County

OT: Other

PRI: Private

ST: State

ST/OT: State/Other Combined
50 

Acronyms and Terminology 

Air Attack: Light aircraft (airplane or helicopter) that carries the ATGS.

ASM: Aerial Supervision Module, light twin-engine airplane that combines the lead 

plane function and tactical supervision (pilot and Air Tactical Supervisor - ATS). 

CWN: Call When Needed, refers to aircraft that have a call when needed contract.

DRTI: Distributed Real-Time Infrared aircraft (operated by DOD).

EXCL: Exclusive-Use Contract. Refers to aircraft that have an exclusive-use contact 

with an agency.

IA: Initial attack. 

IMT: Incident Management Team.

Infrared: Aircraft outfitted with infrared sensing equipment.

IROC: Interagency Resource Ordering Capability System.

Large fire: A large fire is defined as 100 acres or greater in timber, 300 acres or greater in 

grass/brush, or a Type 1, Type 2 or NIMO team is assigned.

LAT: Large Airtanker.

Lead Plane: Twin-engine airplane that guides airtankers over a fire.

MAFFS: Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (military C-130 aircraft). 

NIMO: National Incident Management Organization.

Pax: Passengers.

RAWS: Remote Automated Weather Station.

Starter: Type of portable radio kit. 

Repeater: Type of portable radio kit. 

Tactical: Type of portable radio kit.

SEAT: Single engine airtanker.

TFR: Temporary Flight Restriction.

UTF: Unable to Fill resource request (the requested resource couldn’t be filled).

UAS: Unmanned aircraft systems.

VLAT: Very Large Airtanker.
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