Bonner County and surrounding areas of North Idaho are expected to face significant wildfire danger during the 2026 fire season, according to forecasters who predict larger and more destructive blazes across the region.
AccuWeather meteorologist Brian Lada projects that between 65,000 and 80,000 wildfires could ignite nationwide this year. While that figure represents a decrease from the 77,850 fires reported in 2025—which exceeded the historical average of 68,707 fires—forecasters warn the fires that do start are expected to burn more aggressively.
More Acres Expected to Burn Despite Fewer Fires
The forecast predicts between 5.5 million and 8 million acres could burn across the United States in 2026. That range would surpass the 5,131,474 acres burned in 2025 and approach the historical average of 7,000,514 acres.
The combination of fewer fires but greater acreage burned suggests that wildfires occurring this season could become large, scorching extensive areas before crews can contain or extinguish them. This pattern raises particular concerns for rural communities in North Idaho, where wildfire response resources are already stretched thin during peak fire season.
Idaho Among States at Highest Risk
Idaho appears on the list of states facing the most persistent wildfire threats in 2026. The forecast identifies a broad swath of elevated risk extending from Arizona and New Mexico into Utah, Nevada, Idaho, western Montana and portions of the Pacific Northwest.
Three primary factors contribute to Idaho’s heightened wildfire risk this year: lighter-than-usual snowpack in the mountains, ongoing drought conditions, and above-average temperatures forecast for the region. These conditions create drier fuels and extend the fire season.
Fire Season Timeline and Air Quality Concerns
The wildfire risk for Bonner County and North Idaho is expected to start at normal levels before increasing significantly in July and August as snowpack in the mountains melts completely. That timeline matches historical patterns but could arrive earlier if spring temperatures continue running above average.
Even areas with relatively low chances of direct wildfire activity could experience poor air quality from smoke drifting from fires burning elsewhere in the region. Residents should prepare for periods of unhealthy air, particularly during peak fire months.
What Comes Next
Local fire officials will monitor conditions throughout spring and early summer, issuing burn restrictions as fuel moisture levels drop. Property owners in Bonner County should begin defensible space work now, clearing flammable vegetation and debris from around structures before fire season arrives in earnest. State and federal land management agencies will position firefighting resources across Idaho as conditions warrant, with emphasis on areas identified as highest risk in seasonal forecasts.