Storyline
2026 US wildfire season and federal response
One page that accretes the verified record as the story develops. Every fact keeps its date and its sources.
1 DAYS
20 FACTS
2 EVENTS
2 SOURCES
FIRST ENTRY SEP 16
SEP 16 · Day 1
Firefighters say US government is failing them amid intense wildfire season
An additional member of the Knowles fire crew succumbed to injuries weeks later, and another was severely burned.
There have been 14 reported on-duty firefighter fatalities this year, including three who died battling Colorado's Knowles fire.
Wildfires are overrunning firefighters at the highest rate in two decades, according to data from the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center.
“that teams have worked more fires than is safe, using temporary supervisory structures because fully qualified personnel are not available”
SEP 16 · Day 1
New video of man launching fireworks that sparked deadly wildfire
Authorities say new video shows a suspect launching fireworks from a moving truck.
The 18-year-old suspect faces multiple charges, including first-degree manslaughter.
Police say a man launching fireworks sparked a deadly wildfire.