America’s Rural Lands Are Burning
This summer has been a terrible fire season in the U.S.—just not in the most populated places.
TL;DR
- Europe and the U.S. are experiencing an extraordinary fire season in the summer of 2026.
- Unlike previous years, the U.S. is seeing a significant increase in rural fires, particularly in the West.
- Fires are exacerbated by extreme heat, drought, and dry fuel conditions.
- Rural communities are suffering from the destruction of grazing land, crops, and livestock.
- Traditional firefighting resources are stretched thin, leading to a greater role for volunteer firefighting organizations (RFPAs).
- RFPAs, composed of local ranchers and farmers, are crucial in filling the firefighting gap in rural areas.
- The fires are impacting livelihoods and undoing years of rebuilding efforts in affected regions.