Since yesterday, 109 new fires were reported nationwide. Currently, firefighters are working to suppress and contain 41 large fires across the country. National Preparedness Level remains at 4 (PL 4), indicating the second-highest level of national preparedness.
So far this year, 36,594 fires have burned more than 3.2 million acres across the United States. Extreme fire behavior and evacuations are reported on incidents in the Rocky Mountain and Great Basin geographic areas.
Yesterday, Predictive Services released the latest National Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook, providing a four-month outlook for expected fire potential across the United States. There are two active fuels and fire behavior advisories, covering the West Slope, Front Range, and southeast of Colorado, Southern Wyoming, Eastern Nevada, Utah, and the Arizona Strip. Those living in or traveling to these areas, including firefighters and support personnel, should be aware of the critically dry fuels conditions and potential for rapidly changing fire conditions.
Today is Day 4 of the National Wildland Fire Week of Remembrance, a time to honor those who have lost their lives in the line of duty while reflecting on lessons learned from serious incidents. Throughout the week, the National Wildfire Coordinating Group is highlighting incidents from the 2016 fire season. We invite everyone to follow along and learn more.
Tomorrow is the biggest fireworks holiday of the year. Unsurprisingly, every year wildfires are ignited by fireworks, especially during years like this, which find critically dry vegetation and extreme heat widespread across the country. Fireworks have no place on public lands, and even on your own property, must be handled with serious care. Did you know that sparklers, which are often thought of as child-safe, burn as hot as 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit and can cause third-degree burns? Do not accidentally cause the fire that endangers your community! Learn more about firework safety here: https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Seasonal-fire-causes/Fireworks
Weather
Southwest winds 10-20 mph with gusts 20-30 mph amid relative humidity of 3-12% will develop across the Greater Four Corners creating widespread elevated to locally critical conditions. Isolated mixed wet and dry thunderstorms will develop from the Uinta Mountains into southern Wyoming, and in southeast New Mexico to west Texas. A warming trend will continue in the western U.S. along with lowering relative humidity for California into the Northwest. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will develop across the northern Plains into the Midwest and Northeast, with some of the storms becoming severe. Record-high temperatures will continue along much of the East Coast from the Carolinas to New England, with relative humidity falling to 25-35% in the afternoon. Near normal temperatures are expected in Alaska today, while moderate trade winds and scattered showers continue in Hawai’i.
Daily statistics
Number of new large fires or emergency response * New fires are identified with an asterisk
Approximately three miles west of Darwin Ranch, near upper Gros Ventre Falls in the Gros Ventre Wilderness on the Jackson Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest (34 Miles NW of Cora, WY)
