Which agency provides data on wildfire activity and trends in the U.S.?

The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) is the correct choice because it serves as a central location for collecting and disseminating data related to wildfire activities across the United States. NIFC coordinates fire response efforts and provides critical information on wildfire trends, such as the number of fires, acres burned, and resource allocation. This agency plays a pivotal role in understanding the patterns and behaviors of wildfires, which is essential for effective management and response strategies.

While the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Forest Service do engage in aspects of wildfire management and response, they do not specifically serve as the main source of wildfire activity data. FEMA primarily focuses on disaster response and recovery efforts, and while it supports wildfire management, it does not collect the detailed statistics on wildfire occurrences. The U.S. Forest Service, while it does manage national forests and provides fire prevention and management programs, mainly operates at a more localized level rather than providing comprehensive national data trends. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) monitors environmental impacts, including air quality during wildfires, but it does not focus on tracking wildfire activity itself. Thus, NIFC stands out as the authoritative source for wildfire data and trends in the U.S.