The New Fire Age: Securing America Against Worsening Wildfires

A very dry winter and the onset of a strong El Niño bringing even warmer and drier conditions has led to another summer of devastating wildfires across the western United States. In the first six months of the year, over 39,000 fires had already burned more than 3.6 million acres across the US. As summers like this are becoming increasingly common and intense, they will continue to shape conversations around homeland security, resilience, and livability in the United States. On August 5, 2026, The Center for Climate and Security (CCS) held an expert panel discussion and audience Q&A featuring Erin Sikorsky, Samantha Medlock, John Conger, and Christine McMorrow to discuss the wildfire–security nexus and what types of tools we have at our disposal to better prepare for these impacts.