Yesterday, 158 new fires were reported nationwide, including six new large fires. Firefighters are currently working to contain 49 uncontained large fires across the country. National Preparedness Level remains at 4 (PL 4), with more than 17,500 personnel assigned to incidents nationwide.
As national demand for firefighting resources remains high, additional Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) aircraft have been activated to support wildfire suppression efforts. The military C-130 airtankers provide critical surge capacity, strengthening the national aerial firefighting fleet when demand exceeds available resources.
Firefighters continue responding to incidents from Minnesota to the Pacific Northwest, Great Basin and Rocky Mountain areas. New large fires, persistent hot and dry conditions, and continued resource sharing across geographic areas underscore the importance of a coordinated national response to protect communities, critical infrastructure and natural resources.
So far this year, 39,764 fires have burned more than 3.67 million acres across the United States.
Predictive Services has issued a Fuels and Fire Behavior Advisory for the Pacific Northwest, where record-low winter snowpack and ongoing drought have caused live and dead fuels to cure much earlier than normal. Current conditions are more typical of mid-August, with recent lightning producing efficient ignitions and new fires exhibiting rapid growth. Fire managers expect longer burn periods, increased resistance to control and a heightened potential for large fire development across the region.
As wildfire activity continues across the country, stay aware of conditions where you live or travel. Monitor local emergency alerts, know your evacuation routes, and follow evacuation orders immediately if they are issued. Staying informed and prepared helps protect you and allows firefighters to focus on responding safely and effectively.
Weather
Well above normal temperatures will continue across much of the nation today as a broad upper-level ridge dominates the weather pattern. Highs 10–20°F above normal are expected from east of the Cascades into western Montana and from the Northern Great Plains eastward to the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. Monsoonal moisture circulating beneath the ridge will bring another round of showers and thunderstorms from the Southwest into the Great Basin and central Rockies. Heavy rainfall and flash flooding are possible across parts of Arizona and west Texas, with storm coverage and rainfall amounts decreasing farther north. Isolated severe thunderstorms are possible over the mountains of western Montana, while scattered afternoon thunderstorms develop across the Southeast and isolated areas of the Great Lakes Region and Ohio Valley. An offshore low lifting into the Pacific Northwest will produce gusty winds across the Cascades and may trigger isolated dry thunderstorms over the North Cascades this afternoon. Dry, breezy conditions will also develop across southeastern Oregon, northern California, and the western Great Basin. Farther south, breezy west to northwest winds across California's Central Valley and southern coastal ranges will contribute to critical fire weather conditions.
