Wildfires are becoming more frequent and destructive in many parts of the world. Fueled by extreme heat, drought, dry vegetation, and strong winds, blazes can spread rapidly, destroying homes and communities, and putting children and families at risk.
While fire is part of a natural part of many ecosystems, severe wildfire seasons are affecting millions of people each year. Wildfires can leave lasting impacts through displacement, poor air quality, disrupted livelihoods, and emotional trauma.
When disasters like wildfires strike, World Vision partners with local churches and communities to deliver emergency relief supplies for impacted children and families, including those recovering from the devastating blazes in the Spokane, Washington, region.
Learn about the causes of wildfires and where major fires are happening in 2026. Explore resources offered by World Vision to understand wildfires better and discover ways to support people and communities impacted by them.
Wildfires: Facts, FAQs, how to help
- Fast facts: Wildfires
- Where are the major wildfires in 2026?
- What is a wildfire?
- What causes wildfires?
- How do wildfires affect children?
- Where can I find current wildfire information and resources?
- Where has World Vision responded to wildfires in the U.S.?
- How does World Vision respond to disasters in the U.S.?
- How can I help survivors of wildfires and other disasters in the U.S.?
Fast facts: Wildfires
- Wildfires are a natural part of many ecosystems that can be crucial in clearing dead vegetation, promoting new growth, and maintaining biodiversity.
- Nearly 85% of wildfires in the U.S. are caused by people.
- Lightning is the most common natural cause of wildfires.
- Extreme weather patterns, such as hotter temperatures, prolonged droughts, and altered precipitation patterns, have contributed to increased wildfire frequency and intensity in many regions.
- Wildfires spread quickly, driven by wind, terrain, and fuel availability. Grassland fires can move faster than 14 mph and up to 6.7 mph in forests — and can change direction quickly.
- Intense wildfires can generate their own weather systems, including thunderclouds called pyrocumulonimbus clouds, capable of producing lightning and fire tornadoes.
What are the major wildfires in 2026?
As of early August 2026, major wildfires are raging across North America, Europe, and parts of South America. Extreme weather, prolonged drought, dry vegetation, and strong winds have created conditions that allow fires to spread rapidly, forcing evacuations, damaging homes, and reducing air quality for millions of people.
In the United States, the National Interagency Fire Center reports that tens of thousands of wildfires have burned millions of acres this year, with large fires continuing across the West. One of the hardest-hit areas is the Spokane, Washington, region, where wildfires have destroyed homes, prompted evacuations, and filled the air with hazardous smoke. World Vision has responded by sending truckloads of emergency supplies to support affected communities.
In Canada, firefighters are battling widespread wildfires across several provinces.
In Europe, including France, Spain, and Greece, fire crews are responding to dangerous fires fueled by extreme heat and dry conditions.
What is a wildfire?
Wildfires, often called forest fires or bushfires, are unintentional fires that ignite and spread rapidly in areas such as forests, grasslands, or prairies. Fueled by dry vegetation and driven by wind, wildfires can grow quickly in size and intensity, posing significant risks to wildlife, natural habitats, and communities.
What causes wildfires?
Various sources can spark wildfires, including lightning strikes, human activities such as campfires or fireworks, and, occasionally, natural causes like volcanic eruptions. Once ignited, wildfires can be challenging to contain and extinguish, often requiring extensive firefighting efforts involving ground crews, aerial support, and specialized equipment.
Wildfires can have far-reaching impacts, causing environmental destruction, loss of property, displacement of communities, and adverse health effects due to smoke inhalation.
How do wildfires affect children?
Wildfires can change a child’s life in an instant, forcing families to flee their homes with little notice, leaving behind belongings, schools, and livelihoods. Thick wildfire smoke can also expose children to harmful air pollution, raising the risk of asthma attacks and other respiratory illnesses.
Recovery efforts can take months, years, or even longer. People may lose homes, crops, livestock, or their sources of income, making it difficult to begin rebuilding their lives. Children may experience levels of stress, anxiety, grief, or trauma after evacuating or experiencing the destruction of their homes, schools, or communities.
For families already living in poverty or recovering from other emergencies, a wildfire can deepen existing challenges. That’s why World Vision partners with local churches, communities, and emergency responders to provide emergency supplies, child protection, psychosocial support, and long-term recovery assistance so that children and families can begin to rebuild.
Where can I find current wildfire information and resources?
During wildfire season, rely on authoritative sources for emergency information and updates. Check with your state and local fire departments for guidance. Here are some resources for current information on wildfire preparedness:
- The National Interagency Fire Center and National Interagency Coordination Center: Both offer national statistics and fire updates. They provide up-to-date information on wildland fires, which include wildfires and any non-structure fires that are intentional
- Inciweb: A comprehensive resource that offers maps, photos, and updates on large-scale fire incidents across all states and agencies
- Ready.gov: Offers wildfire safety and preparedness messages
- SmokeyBear.com: Provides educational resources and tips for wildfire prevention and safety
- Wildfire Action Plan: Created by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the guide outlines action plans and checklists to ensure preparedness for wildfires
- Firewise USA: Offers resources and guidance for creating fire-prepared communities and reducing wildfire risk
- California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection: Updates and resources on current California fires
Where has World Vision responded to wildfires in the U.S.?
In August 2026, World Vision responded to the Spokane-area wildfires by dispatching two truckloads of emergency relief supplies from its Fife, Washington, Storehouse to local church partners serving affected families. The shipments included hygiene kits, bottled water, air purifiers, diapers, clothing, emergency meal kits, shoes, socks, undergarments, toys, and work gloves.
Working alongside trusted local churches, World Vision staff helped deliver immediate aid while assessing ongoing community needs.
In January 2025, World Vision responded to the Los Angeles fires in January 2025. Our U.S. Programs team partnered with local churches and the Los Angeles Dream Center to send supplies like water, food, blankets, coolers, hygiene kits, and more from our World Vision Storehouse locations across the country.
World Vision also responded to wildfires in the U.S., including the 2024 Texas wildfires and the devastating Maui fires in 2023.
In Texas, World Vision provided immediate assistance as wildfires, including the Smokehouse Creek Fire, swept through the Texas Panhandle, scorching over a million acres. Partnering with the West Texas District Church of the Nazarene, World Vision distributed essential supplies to 1,500 people impacted by the blazes. Items included clean water, diapers, hygiene products, bedding, and more.
In Maui, World Vision aided affected families through various local partnerships, such as the Pukalani Community Church of the Nazarene, Maui Rescue Mission, and Hawaii Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Assistance ranged from supporting resource hubs and mobile relief services to providing crisis relief boxes and crucial supplies like food, diapers, hygiene kits, and generators.
While communities are showing signs of recovery in 2026, many households still face challenges related to food security, housing, health, and social support.
How does World Vision respond to disasters in the U.S.?
In the aftermath of devastating wildfires and other disasters in the U.S., World Vision is able to respond immediately, drawing on decades of experience. We have seven fully staffed warehouses around the country that are stocked with prepositioned supplies for when disasters strike.
During the 2026 Spokane-area wildfires, World Vision quickly mobilized relief supplies from its Fife, Washington, Storehouse and partnered with local churches — First Presbyterian Church of Spokane, True Hope Church, Westside Church of the Nazarene — to distribute essential items to families affected by the fires.
Our U.S. team works with local organizations, helping deliver immediate aid. Collaborating with over 3,600 church and community partners, we identify needs, assess damage, and distribute emergency supplies. Our assessment includes pinpointing areas that have been impacted the most where other organizations may not be responding. We often stay for the rebuilding phase, supporting families, churches, and communities even after other organizations have left.
While aiding impacted communities, we invite Pastor Ambassadors to come alongside our response by offering firsthand experience, prayers, guidance, and mentorship.
