Today, we pause to acknowledge the tragic loss of Isabella Oscarson, an Idaho Department of Lands firefighter and a member of our wildland fire community. Her passing is felt deeply, and we hold her family, friends, and coworkers in our thoughts. Each person in this community matters, and moments like this remind us of the bonds we share.
Across the country, 7,568 wildland firefighters and support personnel are assigned to incidents. So far this year, 52,571 wildfires have burned 4,529,314 acres. The 10-year average for this date is 45,854 wildfires and 6,503,876 acres burned.
As we move further into fall, cooler nights and shorter days bring new opportunities and responsibilities. For many of us, that means taking steps to prepare our homes and communities for the months ahead. Clearing leaves from gutters, trimming back dry vegetation, and safely disposing of yard debris can all reduce fire risk. Prevention does not take a season off, and simple actions now help protect the places we live and enjoy throughout the year.
A strong cold front will move into the northwestern US, with widespread rain and snow above 8,000 feet in northern California, the Northwest, northern Great Basin, and northern Rockies. However, portions of the east slopes of the Cascades and Columbia Basin will see little rainfall. Strong southwesterly winds will develop across much of the central and western Great Basin ahead of the front, but recent rainfall will mitigate the conditions. Breezy, warm, and dry southerly winds will develop on the central High Plains, as well. Dry conditions will persist on the Plains and Mississippi Valley into the Northeast, with well above normal temperatures in the northern Plains and Great Lakes. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected into the Carolinas due to a dying cold front and moisture from Tropical Storm Imelda.
Daily statistics
Number of new large fires or emergency response * New fires are identified with an asterisk
