As we close out July, the number of wildfires this year is higher than average, but the total acres burned remains below the 10-year average. That’s thanks in large part to fast, coordinated response and the tireless work of wildland firefighters and support personnel. Whether it’s initial attack or extended operations, wildland fire personnel across the country continue to rise to the challenge, protecting lives, communities, and the lands we all share.
While fire activity is ongoing across several states, today’s weather includes very dry conditions and isolated thunderstorms, some dry, in multiple regions, increasing the potential for new fire starts. Human-caused wildfires are still a major concern, especially with warm, windy conditions and dry vegetation in place.
One often overlooked cause? Parking or driving on dry grass. The heat from your exhaust system or catalytic converter can ignite the grass beneath your vehicle in seconds. So whether you’re towing a boat, heading out to a trailhead, or pulling off for a view, stay on gravel or pavement and never park over vegetation.
Predictive Services continues to highlight areas of concern where dry fuels and weather patterns are combining to elevate fire behavior potential. Active fuels and gusty winds, especially in parts of the Great Basin and the Southwest, mean even a single spark could lead to rapid fire spread. Fuels and Fire Behavior Advisories are in place to help crews anticipate conditions on the ground and inform public safety awareness. View the latest advisories and fire danger information here.
As we continue through the core of the fire year, let’s keep looking out for one another. It takes all of us to reduce human-caused fires and support the people doing the hard work on the ground. Explore how you can be part of the solution:2025 National Fire Year Themes.
Weather
Very dry conditions with minimum relative humidity of 4-15% and poor overnight recovery will persist across much of central Nevada and southeast Idaho south and eastward through Utah into much of Arizona and portions of the West Slope. More widespread elevated conditions will develop in east-central Nevada to western Utah as southwesterly winds increase to 15-25 mph with gusts of 30-40 mph. Isolated, mainly dry, thunderstorms may be ongoing this morning from northeast California into central Oregon. Isolated to scattered mixed wet/dry thunderstorms are expected to cover a broader area, from northern California and the northern Great Basin into Oregon and Washington, and northern Rockies. Some storms will continue overnight in Oregon and possibly Washington, with a few storms drifting west of the Cascade Crest. Monsoon moisture will continue its slow trek westward, reaching the Arizona/New Mexico border, southeast Arizona, and Colorado east of the Divide where isolated to scattered wet thunderstorms are forecast. Isolated dry thunderstorms will remain possible on the western fringe of the moisture from central Arizona to the West Slope. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will develop ahead of a cold front from the central Plains into the Great Lakes and Northeast, with some of the storms likely to be severe, particularly around Iowa. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will continue in the Southeast, continuing to cool temperatures, but above normal temperatures and dry conditions will continue on the central Plains. Cool and moist conditions are forecast for Alaska, while breezy and dry trade winds are expected in Hawai’i.
Daily statistics
Number of new large fires or emergency response * New fires are identified with an asterisk
