Wildfire news resources are raw data for fire investigators. While most people track flames and evacuations, you’re tracking ignition timing, suppression delays, witness statements, and the shape of liability. One casually reported quote, one timestamped aerial clip, one buried sentence about a denied burn permit; those details can make or break a case.
Whether you're reconstructing timelines under legal scrutiny or drafting a report that might end up in court, wildfire media can be a real-time evidentiary goldmine.
This guide rounds up the most useful wildfire news resources in the U.S., from national powerhouses to local outlets that catch the first spark. You’ll get direct links, regional intel, and tactical context for every state.
Table of Contents:
National Wildfire News Sources
Even if your jurisdiction is local, national-level wildfire news offers scope, coordination visibility, and crucial agency statements.
- Wildfire Today: A non-government site run by fire professionals, Wildfire Today covers everything from active burns to policy changes, controlled burns gone wrong, and in-depth interviews with frontline agencies. If a fire crosses state lines or enters controversial territory, they’re on it, fast. They often publish before federal agencies update their own dashboards, making it a goldmine for timestamp verification and early accountability narratives.
- InciWeb: InciWeb is the official interagency clearinghouse for federal wildfire incident data. It includes origin location, suppression strategies, team assignments, acreage updates, and containment status. It’s the official source cited in most litigation. Knowing how to interpret it helps you challenge or corroborate official versions of events.
- NOAA/NWS Fire Weather and Red Flag Warnings: Meteorological context that underpins ignition risk, spread patterns, and fire behavior. Essential for reports that address forecast-driven negligence or insufficient preparedness.
- The Weather Channel Wildfire Tracker: Pair this with NOAA. The Weather Channel combines satellite imaging, human impact coverage, and predictive mapping. Useful for supporting cause-and-effect arguments in expert testimony.
National Media Outlets with Investigative Value
Mainstream news isn’t always technically precise, but it’s often first. Even if they miss the deeper causation, national outlets can break key details in the early hours of a fire.
Here’s where to look:
- CNN Wildfires: Best for rapid video coverage and on-the-ground interviews. Searchable archive helps trace statements that may later shift.
- USA Today Wildfire News: Broad national scope with syndication from local affiliates, which is useful when you're tracking multi-state spread or mutual aid actions.
- NBC News Wildfires: Reliable for early federal agency quotes, evacuation footage, and public official statements. Often embeds links to local broadcast partners.
Wildfire News by State
Every state has a different media landscape and fire agency structure. Below, we list both official sources, usually forestry commissions, emergency management, or interagency systems, and local news outlets known for solid wildfire reporting.
Alabama
Official Sources:
Alabama Forestry Commission: Offers daily burn authorizations, red flag warnings, wildfire suppression updates, and fire weather forecasts. Their archive includes historical fire data and past incident reports.
Local Media Outlets:
- AL.com: Covers wildfires with state-wide scope. Search “wildfire” for quick access to recent incidents and political response reporting.
- WSFA 12 News (Montgomery): Solid source for breaking wildfire coverage in central and southern Alabama. Known for drone footage, suppression updates, and live interviews with firefighters.
- WTVY News 4 (Dothan): Strong on the ground in the Wiregrass Region. Offers live alerts, local impact stories, and video reports during active fire events.
Alaska
Official Sources:
Local Media Outlets:
- Alaska Public Media: Combines state-wide reporting with on-the-ground interviews. Known for coverage of the human and ecological impact of wildfires.
- Anchorage Daily News: Strong investigative arm. Past pieces have exposed budget gaps in fire response and interviewed displaced families for civil liability cases.
- KTUU Channel 2 News: Anchorage-based and fire-season savvy. It covers smoke plumes, visibility, travel shutdowns, and air quality, which are key for health claims.
Arizona
Official Sources:
Local Media Outlets:
- The Arizona Republic: Provides in-depth wildfire reporting with maps, drone video, and government response coverage. Good for tracking wildland-urban interface risks in Phoenix and surrounding regions.
- KOLD News 13 (Tucson): Reliable for southern Arizona fire alerts, including air quality warnings and suppression team updates.
- ABC15 Arizona (Phoenix): Covers metro area fire threats and broader state impacts. Known for fast wildfire breakout alerts and damage assessments.
Arkansas
Official Sources:
- Arkansas Forestry Division: Maintains daily wildfire activity logs, fire danger indices by region, and official restrictions or closures. Also reports on equipment availability and inter-agency deployments.
- Arkansas Division of Emergency Management: Provides alert systems, fire disaster declarations, and coordination updates during multi-agency wildfire events.
Local Media Outlets:
- Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: Reliable for covering wildfires in northwestern counties and Ozark forest lands. Use the site’s search tool for ‘wildfire’ to access archived fire reports and fire season analyses.
- THV11 News (CBS affiliate): This Little Rock-based station offers timely wildfire alerts, weather-linked analysis, and interviews with Arkansas Forestry Division officials. Coverage is especially sharp during burn ban violations or wildfire policy debates.
California
Official Sources:
- CAL FIRE: California’s wildfire backbone. From incident maps to suppression status, burn permits to post-fire recovery zones, CAL FIRE is where you get hard numbers, containment status, and verified acreage. Their interactive fire map includes real-time satellite overlays and links to public safety alerts.
- Cal OES: Tracks state-level response operations, especially during complex events involving evacuations, utility-triggered outages, or federal support. Excellent for disaster declarations and resource allocation updates.
Local Media Outlets:
- Los Angeles Times: Their wildfire journalism regularly exposes mismanagement, traces infrastructure liability, and examines ecological recovery. Ideal for long-term impact analysis and court-prep reading.
- KCRA 3 News (Sacramento): Real-time fire coverage in northern counties with live dashboards, Cal OES briefings, and evacuation alerts. Their field reporting team often captures on-scene firefighter interviews and aerial video not available elsewhere.
- The Press Democrat (Santa Rosa): Sonoma County’s go-to source. Highly trusted for hyperlocal wildfire coverage in high-risk zones. Check their archive during repeat events to compare agency response and vegetation treatment history.
Colorado
Official Sources:
- Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC): Provides suppression strategies, aviation reports, incident briefings, and fuel treatment programs. Their seasonal readiness data is especially useful for investigators looking at pre-fire mitigation.
- Colorado Office of Emergency Management: Links all active alerts, evacuation orders, and federal declarations. Use this when building case files or understanding how different counties coordinate emergency response.
Local Media Outlets:
- The Denver Post: Their wildfire reporting isn’t just surface-level. Expect investigative series on climate risk, insurance fallout, and inter-agency failures. Strong editorial stance, which is useful for contextualizing legal cases.
- 9NEWS Denver (KUSA): Live coverage, air quality advisories, and smoke tracker maps. They also run health risk stories with interviews from medical centers, which is ideal for supporting health-related claims.
- Colorado Public Radio: Great source for community impact stories and mental health coverage among evacuees and first responders. They often report on rebuilding challenges long after the flames are out.
Connecticut
Official Sources:
- Connecticut DEEP: The Department of Energy & Environmental Protection manages wildfire response and interagency suppression efforts. DEEP provides a fire danger rating scale, training bulletins, and controlled burn notices.
- Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS): DEMHS tracks wildfire-related incidents, issues statewide alerts, and coordinates emergency shelter and evacuation orders when necessary.
Local Media Outlets:
- Hartford Courant: Connecticut’s oldest newspaper, regularly covering seasonal fire risk, infrastructure threats, and land use conflicts tied to brush fires. Search “wildfire” or “brush fire” for localized case studies.
- WTNH News 8: Real-time fire reporting across southern Connecticut. Watch for weather-linked updates, visibility issues, and controlled burn alerts.
Delaware
Official Sources:
- Delaware Forest Service: Operates training and response units within Delaware and coordinates out-of-state deployments. Offers a fire reporting hotline and statewide fire danger alerts.
- Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA): DEMA handles response coordination during wildfire events and publishes public safety updates. Useful for understanding the administrative handling of small but risky wildland fires.
Local Media Outlets:
- Delaware News Journal: Covers public health impacts, landowner disputes, and fire response efforts. Use archived wildfire stories to understand local policy decisions and community vulnerability.
- WBOC 16 (Delmarva): Broad regional coverage across Delaware and Maryland. Features wildfire warnings, burn ban reports, and on-the-ground video dispatches.
Florida
Official Sources:
- Florida Forest Service: Florida’s frontline wildfire agency. Their wildfire dashboard features live fire locations, risk maps, fire danger indices, and controlled burn authorizations. Especially useful during dry lightning season and for evaluating mitigation efforts.
- Florida Division of Emergency Management: Provides wildfire-related alerts, evacuation orders, shelter openings, and emergency declarations. Includes GIS mapping tools and situation reports during declared wildfire disasters.
Local Media Outlets:
- Tampa Bay Times: Known for strong investigative reporting on land use and development near high-risk forest zones. Includes wildfire warnings, post-incident recovery efforts, and environmental policy debates.
- WFTV 9 Orlando: Broadcasts frequent wildfire warnings for central Florida. Provides weather tie-ins, road closures, evacuation interviews, and Red Flag alerts.
Georgia
Official Sources:
- Georgia Forestry Commission: Offers current wildfire updates, fire restrictions, and burn permit information. Their wildfire activity tracker is used by both residents and agencies across the state.
- GEMA/HS: This agency issues state-wide disaster declarations and coordinates with counties during wildfire events. It includes shelter locations, evacuation routes, and public safety alerts.
Local Media Outlets:
- Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC): Covers wildfires and related policy from a metro perspective. Their reporting often includes WUI (wildland-urban interface) conflict zones and the human toll of encroaching fire lines.
- WSAV News 3 (Savannah): Covers coastal and south Georgia wildfires. Expect live updates, forestry interviews, and broadcast footage during peak wildfire activity.
Hawaii
Official Sources:
- Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife: Oversees fire prevention, suppression, and post-burn recovery across all islands. Their site includes regional wildfire alerts, controlled burn notices, and interagency updates.
- Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA): Coordinates state-level wildfire emergency response and issues public safety alerts, evacuation advisories, and shelter locations, especially critical for island-based containment logistics.
Local Media Outlets:
- Hawaii News Now: The go-to live broadcast source for fast-moving wildfires in Hawaii. Known for on-the-ground interviews, drone recon footage, and consistent evacuation coverage.
- Honolulu Star-Advertiser: Strong written journalism covering the wildfire-human impact spectrum, like insurance claims, post-fire pollution, rebuilding complications, and political accountability.
Idaho
Official Sources:
- Idaho Department of Lands: Manages fire protection on state-managed and private forest lands. Provides burn restriction maps, suppression zone status, and incident resource updates.
- Idaho Office of Emergency Management: This agency posts timely wildfire warnings, hazard declarations, and resource coordination plans for wildfire-prone regions, which is especially useful in inter-county investigations.
Local Media Outlets:
- Idaho Statesman: The state’s primary newspaper for wildfire-related coverage. Great for historical fire summaries, smoke health warnings, and community-level impact reporting.
- KTVB 7 (Boise): Boise’s flagship station for live wildfire alerts and road closures. Tracks air quality shifts, wind-driven spread, and official updates from state and federal responders.
Illinois
Official Sources:
- Illinois DNR: Oversees wildland fire suppression and prescribed burn programs. While large-scale wildfires are rare, this agency provides critical prevention data and rural fire training tools, which is especially relevant during prolonged drought.
- Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA): Issues public safety alerts for Red Flag days and coordinates emergency wildfire response statewide. Supports mutual aid and regional suppression if state parks or conservation lands are impacted.
Local Media Outlets:
- Chicago Tribune: While primarily urban-focused, the Tribune covers wildfire smoke impacts, land management disputes, and controlled burn policy shifts in central and southern Illinois.
- WSIL-TV 3: Based in Carterville, this outlet is the best source for real-time alerts near Shawnee National Forest. Offers on-scene video, air quality warnings, and firefighter interviews during flare-ups.
Indiana
Official Sources:
- Indiana DNR: Indiana’s go-to agency for wildfire response and fire mitigation strategy. Includes seasonal fire danger assessments and wildfire activity maps for state forests.
- Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS): Responsible for issuing emergency alerts, coordinating with local fire crews, and declaring disasters in response to escalating wildfire threats or post-storm fire conditions.
Local Media Outlets:
- IndyStar (The Indianapolis Star): Covers wildfire news with a public health angle—expect strong reporting on air quality, Red Flag declarations, and community exposure.
- WTHR 13 News: Indianapolis-based channel known for breaking coverage during active burn periods, especially when paired with severe weather. They also provide coverage of prescribed burn mishaps and forestry press briefings.
Iowa
Official Sources:
- Iowa DNR: Manages wildfire preparedness, controlled burns, and local suppression coordination. Also provides fire danger ratings and weather monitoring tailored to grassland and prairie ecosystems.
- Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management: Responsible for burn bans and fire-related disaster declarations. Their website also links to real-time alerts during dry spells when rural fires can escalate quickly.
Local Media Outlets:
- Des Moines Register: A go-to source for coverage of brush fires, drought-related burn bans, and legislative oversight of fire-related liability in rural Iowa.
- KCCI 8 News: Delivers rapid wildfire reporting from central Iowa, including weather-linked analysis and suppression crew interviews. Good for visibility reports and public safety alerts.
Kansas
Official Sources:
- Kansas Forest Service: Offers incident summaries, suppression crew deployment info, prescribed burn permits, and active fire weather forecasts. Critical for monitoring high-wind days that fuel grass fires.
- Kansas Division of Emergency Management: Maintains active alerts and publishes response plans for major wildfire outbreaks in rural and agricultural zones.
Local Media Outlets:
- Wichita Eagle: Covers south-central Kansas wildfires and includes data on agricultural damage and utility disruptions. Particularly strong on after-action analysis and property damage totals.
- KSNT 27 News (Topeka): Focuses on eastern Kansas grass fires and incidents near WUI zones. Reliable for quick turnaround video coverage and public notices.
Kentucky
Official Sources:
- Kentucky Division of Forestry: Coordinates suppression strategies, enforces burn bans, and handles wildfire arson investigations. Daily fire hazard ratings and regional activity logs make this a must-watch during dry spells.
- Kentucky Emergency Management: Activates response operations when wildfires escalate. Includes alerts, evacuation routes, shelter info, and damage reports—especially important in rural or mountainous terrain.
Local Media Outlets:
- Lexington Herald-Leader: Provides timely coverage on wildfires in central and eastern Kentucky. Particularly sharp on land-use conflicts, firefighter capacity, and community vulnerability.
- WYMT News (Hazard): Eastern Kentucky’s most fire-aware local outlet. Known for rapid wildfire alerts, forest service interviews, and coverage of Appalachia’s high-risk burn zones.
Louisiana
Official Sources:
- Louisiana Office of Forestry: Handles suppression and burn oversight across the state. Publishes fire danger assessments, ignition reports, and controlled burn advisories.
- GOHSEP – Louisiana Emergency Preparedness: Manages statewide coordination during wildfire disasters. Key source for press releases, emergency declarations, and recovery operations.
Local Media Outlets:
- The Advocate (Baton Rouge): Reports on wildfire threats to power infrastructure, road closures, and urban smoke impact. Investigative reporting often links policy or negligence to fire outcomes.
- KATC 3 News (Lafayette): Quick to publish wildfire alerts and evacuation orders. Excellent for tracking southern and western Louisiana fires with community-focused reporting.
Maine
Official Sources:
- Maine Forest Service: The lead agency for wildfire management statewide. Offers live incident maps, daily fire danger classifications, and suppression strategy summaries. Also tracks debris burn permits and WUI area risk zones.
- Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA): Coordinates multi-agency wildfire responses and communicates alerts to local departments and the public. Their recovery support pages are especially useful for post-fire documentation.
Local Media Outlets:
- Bangor Daily News: Excellent rural and northern Maine wildfire coverage. Known for on-scene reports, legislative fire policy coverage, and forest industry impact analyses.
- WGME 13 (Portland): Broadcasts real-time wildfire alerts for coastal and southern Maine. Strong on smoke alerts, evacuation details, and press briefings from forest officials.
Maryland
Official Sources:
- Maryland DNR: Handles fire protection in state forests and parklands. Shares prescribed burn schedules, current fire danger levels, and public safety notices.
- Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA): Activates during wildfire-related threats, issuing alerts and evacuation planning resources. Central hub for disaster declarations and interagency coordination.
Local Media Outlets:
- The Baltimore Sun: Covers wildfire impact in urban-adjacent forest corridors and policy debates over land management. Strong source for editorial analysis and environmental reporting.
- WJZ CBS News Baltimore: Quick on-air coverage of wildfire activity and related road closures or health alerts. Regularly features updates from the Maryland DNR and emergency services.
Massachusetts
Official Sources:
- Massachusetts DCR: Oversees wildland fire protection for public and private forested lands. Offers daily fire danger indices and seasonal restrictions. Their prescribed burn operations are frequently updated and used for habitat restoration and fuel management.
- Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA): Issues statewide alerts, supports municipal coordination, and offers detailed wildfire situation updates. MEMA is critical during high-risk weather events and large-scale mutual aid deployments.
Local Media Outlets:
- The Boston Globe: Covers brush fires and WUI threats in greater Boston and central Massachusetts. Their investigative team frequently examines fire-prevention policy, infrastructure liability, and climate-linked risk.
- WWLP 22News: Provides daily coverage of wildfires, smoke alerts, and Red Flag conditions in western Massachusetts. Known for real-time video footage and interviews with regional fire wardens.
Michigan
Official Sources:
- Michigan DNR: Tracks wildfire incidents across both peninsulas. Features interactive fire maps, real-time risk assessments, and clear explanations of burn permitting processes. Also houses public records on recent large fires.
- Michigan Emergency Management (MSP EMHSD): Provides disaster coordination across state and local agencies during wildfire emergencies. Manages alerts, evacuation zones, and post-fire sheltering operations.
Local Media Outlets:
- Detroit Free Press: Focuses on smoke impact, DNR policies, and human-interest stories during wildfire events. Excellent archive of southeast Michigan fire events tied to urban/rural borders.
- UpNorthLive: The best source for coverage in wildfire-prone northern counties like Kalkaska, Roscommon, and Alpena. Provides daily updates, evacuation maps, and weather-driven risk insights.
Minnesota
Official Sources:
- Minnesota DNR: The state’s primary fire suppression agency. Includes daily fire danger ratings, interactive wildfire maps, and up-to-date burn permit info. Regularly updated during high-risk periods in forested northern regions.
- Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM): Handles interagency coordination and public safety alerts during wildfires. Maintains an alert system for evacuation notices, emergency declarations, and response deployment.
Local Media Outlets:
- Star Tribune (Minneapolis): Strong environmental journalism and coverage of state wildfire trends. Tracks air quality impacts, state firefighting budgets, and regional recovery efforts.
- WDIO ABC News (Duluth): Critical source for updates in the Boundary Waters and Superior National Forest. Offers aerial firefighting updates, smoke tracking, and emergency responder coverage.
Mississippi
Official Sources:
Local Media Outlets:
- Clarion Ledger (Jackson): Focuses on wildfire risks tied to agricultural land use and prescribed burn escapes. Includes coverage of DNR policy shifts and rural suppression efforts.
- WLOX News (Biloxi-Gulfport): Gulf Coast coverage of wildfire warnings, Red Flag days, and smoke impacts. Known for health advisory alerts and high-frequency fire danger forecasts.
Missouri
Official Sources:
Local Media Outlets:
- St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Reports on wildfires affecting eastern and central Missouri. Features alerts on park closures, road blocks, and community-level suppression efforts.
- KY3 News (Springfield): One of the fastest stations to report wildfires in southern Missouri. Includes drone coverage, firefighter interviews, and fire behavior breakdowns from MDC and USFS personnel.
Montana
Official Sources:
- Montana DNRC: Leads suppression and aviation coordination for all Montana wildfires not covered by federal crews. Their fire dashboard includes wildfire perimeter maps, situation reports, and forecast tools.
- Montana Disaster and Emergency Services (DES): Issues evacuation orders, emergency declarations, and damage assessments. Coordinates state-level response with federal and tribal authorities during wildfire season.
Local Media Outlets:
- Billings Gazette: Provides eastern Montana coverage, especially for long-duration rangeland and forest fires. Includes legal updates, suppression costs, and liability fallout.
- KPAX News (Missoula): Known for its high-quality visuals and regular updates from DNRC and Forest Service briefings. Strong coverage of western Montana’s wilderness and interface zone fires.
Nebraska
Official Sources:
- Nebraska Forest Service: Provides suppression support and wildfire mitigation across the state. Their site includes daily fire danger ratings, training resources, and controlled burn protocols. Useful for investigators tracking local permit activity.
- Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA): Activates during fire-related disasters. Publishes real-time alerts, evacuation instructions, and recovery coordination tools for fire-impacted counties.
Local Media Outlets:
- Omaha World-Herald: Covers wildfire threats and smoke conditions across eastern Nebraska. Strong on drought coverage and the political implications of fire preparedness funding.
- WOWT 6 News (Omaha): Delivers fast breaking news on Red Flag days, fire weather alerts, and grassland fire suppression in rural areas.
Nevada
Official Sources:
- Nevada Division of Forestry: Manages wildland fire suppression on state-protected lands. Includes incident dashboards, fire restriction maps, and burn permit info. Especially active in northern desert zones and around WUI growth corridors.
- Nevada Department of Emergency Management: Posts fire-related public safety alerts and evacuation protocols. Integrates with county-level warning systems and federal wildfire coordination centers.
Local Media Outlets:
- Las Vegas Review-Journal: Offers rapid reporting on fire outbreaks in Clark County and surrounding public lands. Includes fire origin investigations, air quality warnings, and FEMA declarations.
- KOLO 8 News (Reno/Tahoe): Covers wildfire threats in the Sierra Nevada region, including Tahoe Basin and northern desert ranges. Strong visuals and high-frequency updates during fire season.
New Hampshire
Official Sources:
- NH Forest Protection Bureau: Responsible for statewide wildland fire suppression, controlled burning, and fire prevention education. Offers daily fire danger levels and burn permit regulations through its user-accessible portal.
- New Hampshire Homeland Security and Emergency Management: Posts emergency alerts, wildfire evacuation guidance, and weather-triggered burn bans. Integrated with ReadyNH for multi-agency fire threat notifications.
Local Media Outlets:
- WMUR 9 News (Manchester): Real-time updates on wildfire activity across central and southern New Hampshire. Offers consistent broadcast alerts and agency briefings during dry season escalations.
- The Keene Sentinel: Western New Hampshire’s trusted news source. Strong editorial coverage of land use, ecological fire risk, and inter-town fire preparedness efforts.
New Jersey
Official Sources:
- NJ Forest Fire Service (NJDEP): Leads suppression and fuels management in New Jersey’s forests and wildlands, especially in the Pine Barrens. Provides daily fire danger updates, ongoing incident reports, and public burn restrictions.
- NJ Office of Emergency Management: Distributes fire-related alerts and coordinates shelter, evacuation, and disaster aid support. Wildfire incidents are integrated with the NJ Alert system for residents.
Local Media Outlets:
- NJ.com: Known for breaking wildfire stories and DEP press coverage. Tracks smoke impact, suppression efforts, and fireline movement, particularly in WUI zones.
- News 12 New Jersey: Strong on live updates, road closure alerts, and community-level advisories. Often features aerial footage and Red Flag warnings during peak wildfire events.
New Mexico
Official Sources:
- New Mexico Forestry Division: Leads suppression, prevention, and controlled burning across state-managed lands. Their portal includes detailed fire restriction maps, incident activity logs, and wildfire preparedness materials.
- NM Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Management: Responsible for coordinating large-scale evacuations, mutual aid deployment, and federal response integrations. Their emergency dashboard is crucial during multi-county wildfires.
Local Media Outlets:
- Albuquerque Journal: Top source for in-depth wildfire coverage in the Rio Grande corridor and beyond. Strong environmental and agency oversight journalism.
- KOAT 7 News (Albuquerque): Regularly breaks active fire updates and federal coordination efforts. Known for helicopter footage, agency briefings, and evacuation zone alerts.
New York
Official Sources:
- New York DEC: Oversees wildfire prevention and suppression, primarily in state forests and preserves. Offers fire danger ratings, enforcement policies, and educational tools.
- NY Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services: Supports local agencies with real-time alerts and wildfire-related emergency declarations. Also manages recovery assistance and public preparedness training.
Local Media Outlets:
- Times Union (Albany): Covers wildfires in the Adirondacks and rural upstate counties. Excellent archive of fire behavior during drought years and state response criticism.
- Spectrum News NY1: Offers real-time video coverage and emergency weather tie-ins across New York state. Includes public health notices, evacuation briefings, and controlled burn updates.
North Carolina
Official Sources:
- NC Forest Service: Leads wildfire suppression statewide, including prescribed burn operations, prevention outreach, and real-time danger ratings. Known for clear public communication and multi-agency coordination, especially in WUI zones.
- NC Department of Public Safety – Emergency Management: Manages disaster declarations and coordinates fire evacuations, sheltering, and mutual aid. Publishes situational reports during major wildland fire events.
Local Media Outlets:
- WRAL News (Raleigh/Durham): Covers fire-related alerts across the Piedmont region. Known for Red Flag updates, weather-driven fire briefings, and Forestry Service Q&As.
- WLOS News 13 (Asheville): Strong coverage of wildfires in the western mountains. Offers video footage, community interviews, and press conferences from USFS and NCFS officials.
North Dakota
Official Sources:
- ND Forest Service: Provides active fire incident updates, statewide risk maps, and open burning guidance. Their training programs are widely used by rural volunteer departments.
- ND Department of Emergency Services (NDDES): Coordinates multi-county wildfire responses and supports local responders with emergency declarations and logistics assistance.
Local Media Outlets:
- The Bismarck Tribune: Covers grass and prairie fire outbreaks, especially during prolonged drought. Known for in-depth coverage of fire suppression budgets and climate-linked ignition trends.
- KFYR-TV (Bismarck): Reliable breaking news source during wildfire emergencies. Offers on-the-ground coverage, fire spread tracking, and response team interviews.
Ohio
Official Sources:
- Ohio Division of Forestry: Offers burn restriction updates, public fire danger ratings, and training for rural fire departments. While large wildfires are rare, seasonal fire risk can escalate quickly in southern counties.
- Ohio Emergency Management Agency (EMA): Supports county-level wildfire response, especially during multi-day burn events or wind-driven spread. Provides public advisories and interagency response coordination.
Local Media Outlets:
- The Columbus Dispatch: Reports on wildfire events across the state, with particular emphasis on southern Ohio where terrain and land use increase fire risk. Tracks fire bans and DNR statements.
- WKYC 3 News (Cleveland): Broadcasts wildfire updates in northern counties, especially during Red Flag days. Includes public health advisories for smoke and visibility issues.
Oklahoma
Official Sources:
- Oklahoma Forestry Services: Leads wildfire suppression and fire weather intelligence gathering. Features statewide fire danger maps, burn bans, and active fire incident dashboards updated daily.
- Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management: Handles wildfire disaster declarations, evacuation alerts, and multi-agency deployment. Partners with OK-WARN for direct-to-citizen emergency text alerts.
Local Media Outlets:
- The Oklahoman (NewsOK): Covers live wildfire outbreaks, insurance aftermath, and legislative review of fire response systems. Often includes county-level burn histories and agency criticism or praise.
- KFOR News 4 (Oklahoma City): Reliable for real-time alerts, road closures, and broadcast interviews with Forestry Services officials. Known for fast aerial video and public evacuation coverage.
Oregon
Official Sources:
- Oregon Department of Forestry: Handles fire suppression across 16 million acres of private and state forestlands. Their dashboard includes daily fire danger ratings, public use restrictions, and interactive wildfire maps. Also posts burn bans and evacuation orders.
- Oregon Office of Emergency Management (OEM): Activates state response plans during major wildfire disasters. Provides public evacuation routes, shelter details, and emergency declarations, especially critical during wind-driven firestorms like Labor Day 2020.
Local Media Outlets:
- The Oregonian (OregonLive): Offers some of the most comprehensive wildfire reporting in the Pacific Northwest. Their fire hub includes satellite maps, air quality forecasts, and legal developments around insurance and liability. Strong on post-incident analysis.
- KATU News (Portland): Known for livestreams, Red Flag alerts, and state press briefings. Covers fire behavior, local evacuations, and interviews with Forestry and Fire Marshal officials.
Pennsylvania
Official Sources:
Local Media Outlets:
- The Philadelphia Inquirer: Tracks fire events across eastern Pennsylvania. Reports on public health impacts, road closures, and Red Flag conditions. Also covers litigation and claims in the aftermath of destructive wildfires.
- WNEP Newswatch 16 (Scranton/Wilkes-Barre): Reports on brush fires and prescribed burns in northeastern counties. Features live video, community alerts, and agency briefings with local responders.
Rhode Island
Official Sources:
- Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management: Oversees wildfire suppression and fire prevention education statewide. Though major fires are rare, they issue daily fire danger ratings, manage controlled burns, and regulate open burning permits. Often collaborates with volunteer departments.
- Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA): Facilitates ReadyRI alerts and coordinates fire evacuation protocols when conditions escalate. Strong in risk planning, especially during high wind events and drought conditions.
Local Media Outlets:
- The Providence Journal: Covers wildland fire events, drought-linked ignition risks, and legislative updates. Includes health impact coverage when wildfire smoke from neighboring states affects the region.
- WPRI 12 News (Providence): Fast-breaking news source for brush fires and Red Flag days. Reliable for local interviews with DEM fire wardens and fire chiefs across small municipalities.
South Carolina
Official Sources:
- South Carolina Forestry Commission: Core agency for wildfire suppression in forested and WUI areas. Posts a daily fire report map, burn status updates, and seasonal restrictions. They manage over 500 fires annually, many human-caused.
- South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD): Offers rapid alerts, wildfire evacuation updates, and public information during major multi-county burns. Critical during dry winter seasons when windborne ignitions escalate.
Local Media Outlets:
- The State (Columbia): Reports on wildfire events and suppression efforts in central SC. Tracks weather-driven risk levels, structural damage, and post-burn legal claims.
- WCSC Live 5 News (Charleston): Covers southeastern SC, including the coastal corridor and Francis Marion National Forest. Known for timely evacuation notices and forestry expert interviews.
South Dakota
Official Sources:
- South Dakota Wildland Fire Division: Oversees fire suppression across the Black Hills and prairies, where lightning and human activity often spark fast-moving fires. Offers fire danger maps, incident updates, and active Red Flag warnings. They also train rural VFDs and publish an annual fire report.
- South Dakota Office of Emergency Management (SDOEM): Plays a major role in large-scale wildfire response, managing mutual aid logistics and disaster declarations. Partners with tribal, federal, and local responders for resource allocation and public alerts.
Local Media Outlets:
- Rapid City Journal: The go-to for Black Hills wildfire coverage, including live reporting on containment efforts, evacuations, and property damage. Strong source for post-fire investigations and agency debriefs.
- KELOLAND News: Reports on fire conditions across the state, from rural burns to large-scale seasonal events. Often shares air quality warnings, fire weather updates, and burn ban alerts.
Tennessee
Official Sources:
- Tennessee Division of Forestry: Tracks and suppresses fires across millions of forested acres. Offers public burn permits, fire danger maps, and daily incident summaries. Their work is critical in high-risk zones like the Cumberland Plateau and the Smoky Mountains.
- Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA): Issues ReadyTN alerts and coordinates evacuation and shelter response during wildfire emergencies. Was pivotal during the 2016 Gatlinburg fires and continues to provide real-time emergency updates statewide.
Local Media Outlets:
- Knoxville News Sentinel: Covers East Tennessee wildfire activity, especially around the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Tracks insurance claims, road closures, and the legal aftermath of major burns.
- WATE 6 On Your Side (Knoxville): Delivers Red Flag weather alerts, interviews with TEMA and Forestry officials, and up-to-the-minute fire progression maps. Frequently covers federal assistance efforts post-disaster.
Texas
Official Sources:
- Texas A&M Forest Service: This is the nerve center for wildfire tracking in Texas. The Incident Viewer provides real-time fire perimeter data, fire weather alerts, and an up-to-date burn ban map. Critical during high-risk seasons, especially in the Panhandle and Hill Country.
- Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM): Coordinates emergency response and mutual aid statewide. During major wildfire events like the 2024 Smokehouse Creek Fire, TDEM activates shelter support, deploys alerts, and handles public safety logistics.
Local Media Outlets:
- Texas Tribune: Known for in-depth investigative reporting on wildfire legislation, landowner liability, and the funding shortfalls affecting rural fire departments. Tracks claims and recovery programs in the wake of large-scale burns.
- KVUE News (Austin): Fast coverage of Central Texas fire events. Publishes aerial video, fire spread projections, and interviews with Texas A&M Forest Service and local VFDs. Solid source for understanding how fast these fires move in grass-heavy terrain.
Utah
Official Sources:
- Utah Fire Info (Utah Interagency Fire Team): A joint effort between state, federal, and local agencies, this site consolidates statewide incident updates, prescribed burn plans, and suppression strategies. Especially important for tracking fire weather in the Wasatch Range and canyon systems.
- Utah Department of Public Safety: Provides evacuation info, ReadyUtah alerts, and emergency declarations. Active in community wildfire planning and public health risk management when smoke settles in population corridors.
Local Media Outlets:
- Deseret News (Salt Lake City): Offers deep coverage of Utah’s fire seasons, including risk factors tied to drought and lightning. Tracks impacts on air quality, legal issues in prescribed burn escapes, and post-fire recovery legislation.
- KSL NewsRadio (Salt Lake City): Provides Red Flag alerts, community evacuation notices, and live press conferences. Often the first to report when a fire jumps containment or threatens structures in high-altitude towns.
Vermont
Official Sources:
- Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation: Leads wildfire prevention and suppression across the state. Provides daily fire danger ratings, forest fire safety protocols, and burn permit guidance. The site is especially useful during dry spring seasons when leaf litter fuels rapid ignition.
- Vermont Emergency Management: Issues emergency alerts for wildfires, supports evacuation planning, and facilitates multi-agency coordination during escalating events. Works closely with local departments in high-risk rural areas.
Local Media Outlets:
- VTDigger: Offers investigative reporting on Vermont’s environmental landscape, including growing wildfire risk tied to drought and climate change. Also covers legislative action on forest management and suppression funding.
- WCAX News (Burlington): Strong coverage of wildfire advisories, community impacts, and live burn bans. Particularly useful for northern counties and Green Mountain forest conditions.
Virginia
Official Sources:
- Virginia Department of Forestry: Provides comprehensive wildfire tracking, safety tips, and a prescribed burn calendar. Includes daily fire danger ratings and response details for spring and fall seasons when leaf litter and wind make fires more likely.
- Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM): Issues ReadyVirginia alerts and handles evacuation logistics during wildfires. Coordinates disaster declarations and federal resource deployment as needed.
Local Media Outlets:
- Richmond Times-Dispatch: Covers central and southern Virginia wildfire incidents, policy decisions, and legal disputes related to wildfire liability or claims. Their reporting often includes quotes from forestry and insurance experts.
- WDBJ7 News (Roanoke): Tracks wildfires in the Blue Ridge Mountains and western counties. Known for road closure alerts, Red Flag warnings, and broadcast coverage of suppression progress.
Washington
Official Sources:
- Washington State Department of Natural Resources: Your go-to site for active wildfire maps, burn bans, and public safety alerts. This agency leads wildfire suppression on state lands and provides detailed updates during major events, especially in the dry east.
- Washington Emergency Management Division: Coordinates evacuation orders and statewide wildfire emergency declarations. Their ReadyWA alert system delivers timely warnings, especially when wind shifts threaten urban fringes or tribal lands.
Local Media Outlets:
- The Seattle Times: Provides thorough reporting on wildfire trends, smoke health advisories, and climate-linked fire risks. Strong environmental desk coverage, especially relevant when fire liability becomes a policy debate.
- KREM 2 News (Spokane): A critical source during Eastern Washington’s peak fire season. Their interactive fire maps and aerial footage help investigators track perimeters, while local coverage often includes ground-level interviews with wildland crews.
West Virginia
Official Sources:
- West Virginia Division of Forestry: Responsible for wildfire suppression and fire law enforcement across rural West Virginia. Their site includes seasonal fire laws, tips for landowner risk reduction, and burn permit rules.
- West Virginia Emergency Management Division: Manages ReadyWV alerts, emergency shelter coordination, and wildfire evacuation planning. Especially vital in rugged terrain where radio and cellular alerts might be delayed.
Local Media Outlets:
- Charleston Gazette-Mail: Reports on wildfire impacts, forest policy, and arson investigations. Particularly strong on legal and insurance fallout following major fire events.
- WDTV 5 News (Clarksburg): Covers north-central West Virginia wildfire alerts and agency response updates. A good source for Red Flag bulletins, localized smoke conditions, and risk communication.
Wisconsin
Official Sources:
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources: Provides real-time wildfire danger ratings, incident reports, and burn restriction maps. Known for its detailed suppression statistics and fire education for landowners in rural areas.
- Wisconsin Emergency Management: Issues statewide alerts and coordinates with county emergency offices during wildfire events. Plays a key role during red-flag days and in deploying resources when fires threaten towns or agricultural zones.
Local Media Outlets:
- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Tracks major wildfires and publishes investigative reports on budget gaps, volunteer fire department shortages, and public health risks tied to poor air quality. Reliable during fast-moving urban-interface fires.
- WSAW News (Wausau): Primary news outlet for central and northern Wisconsin. Reports fire weather forecasts, daily DNR wildfire maps, and community evacuation updates.
Wyoming
Official Sources:
- Wyoming State Forestry Division: Manages wildfire response across state and private lands. This site includes prescribed burn schedules, public fire restrictions, and historical fire data for risk forecasting.
- Wyoming Office of Homeland Security: Activates response plans and issues emergency alerts during large wildfires. Crucial during fire season when wind-driven fires threaten ranches and small towns.
Local Media Outlets:
- Casper Star-Tribune: Reports on the causes and consequences of wildfires across Wyoming. Includes deep dives into policy debates, fire behavior analysis, and legal or insurance fallout.
- KGWN CBS 5 News (Cheyenne): Covers southeastern Wyoming fire activity with daily updates, evacuation orders, and fire danger ratings. Reliable for smoke forecasts and expert interviews during ongoing incidents.
Use Wildfire News Sources to Your Advantage
As an investigator, you’re piecing together burn patterns, decoding human behavior, institutional response, and environmental conditions. And wildfire news is your raw feed.
A rushed quote, a misaligned timestamp, or a buried burn permit denial in a local story can shift the entire trajectory of your case. That’s why staying news-literate, at the national and hyperlocal level, isn’t optional.
Here’s how to stay sharp:
- Bookmark your state’s go-to sources, both official and local.
- Set up keyword alerts on Google News for “wildfire” + your region.
- Archive early reports because they often vanish or get edited later.
- Use media coverage to cross-check timelines, agency statements, and public response.
- Document everything, even small anomalies in wildfire news can support or challenge ignition theories, delay analysis, or claims of negligence.
