California 2026 Wildfire Season: Current Fires & Recovery Resources
After a slow start, California's 2026 fire season is fully underway, driven by extreme heat, minimal mountain snowpack, and critically dry vegetation across more than half the state. This page tracks the season's major fires and gathers the recovery resources available to affected California residents.
As of late July 2026, California had seen more than 1,700 individual fires burn upward of 53,000 acres. Most have been small, but a handful of larger fires have driven evacuations in rural and foothill counties. The sections below cover the season's most significant fires and, more importantly, where to turn if you've been affected.
The season's major fires
Here's a snapshot of the larger fires of the 2026 season. Conditions change daily, so always confirm current status and evacuation orders with the official sources linked below.
Figures reflect the most recent official reports available as of late July 2026. The Biscar Fire, the season's largest, crossed from California into Nevada and is now largely contained. For live status, use the official sources below.
If you are under an evacuation order or warning: follow it immediately and do not wait. Check CAL FIRE Incidents and your county sheriff's office for current evacuation zones. Your safety comes before any of the recovery steps on this page.
Where to get help if you've been affected
Recovery after a wildfire follows the same general path no matter which fire affected you. These free resources walk you through each stage.
1. Right after the fire
In the first days, focus on safety, shelter, and documenting your losses before any cleanup begins. Our First 72 Hours guide covers exactly what to do, and the American Red Cross and 211 can help with immediate shelter and essentials.
2. Document what you lost
Before you file an insurance claim, you'll need to account for what was destroyed. This is one of the hardest parts of recovery, and doing it thoroughly protects what you're able to recover.
Free Home Inventory Tool
Walk through your home room by room and download a ready-to-file list for your insurance claim. No sign-up, nothing stored.
For a full walkthrough of the claim process, see our guide on creating a home inventory for an insurance claim.
3. Apply for assistance
If a federal disaster is declared for your area, FEMA and SBA assistance may be available, along with state and nonprofit programs. Our financial assistance guide explains what's out there and how to apply.
4. Understand your rights
In California, when a wildfire is caused by a utility company's equipment, affected residents may have legal options beyond their insurance. Our guide to your rights explains how this works.
Official California sources
CAL FIRE Incidents →
Official statewide source for current fire status, containment, and evacuation information.
Cal OES →
California's Office of Emergency Services — disaster declarations and recovery programs.
CA Dept. of Insurance →
Help understanding your policy, filing a claim, and resolving disputes with insurers.
FEMA Disaster Assistance →
Apply for federal help with housing and disaster-related needs. Call 1-800-621-3362.
See all California recovery resources
Our California wildfires hub gathers state agencies, recovery steps, and guides for individual fires in one place.
This page is a free informational resource for wildfire survivors and is not legal, financial, or insurance advice. Fire conditions and program details change; please confirm current status and evacuation orders with official sources and confirm program eligibility with each organization. This site is offered as a free resource by The Wagner Law Group; using it does not create an attorney-client relationship.