Yesterday, 65 new fires were reported nationwide, including six new large fires. Firefighters are currently working to contain 78 large fires, with 17,812 firefighters and support personnel assigned to incidents nationwide.
Due to improving fire weather conditions across multiple geographic areas, increased availability of most nationally shared resource types, and a significant decline in resource ordering through the National Interagency Coordination Center, the National Preparedness Level decreased to four (PL 4), effective September 4 at 7:30 a.m. MDT. So far in 2026, firefighters have responded to 53,030 wildfires that have burned more than 8.3 million acres across the United States.
Late summer and fall are characterized by extremely dry fuels in many parts of the country, and several geographic areas continue to fight fires that present challenges to containment. Even if temperatures are coming down in your area, maintain heightened awareness of any possible sources of ignition. Ensure your vehicle is in good working order and secure any chains or anything that could drag and spark. Taking a Labor Day camping trip? Commit to practicing excellent campfire and/or barbeque safety. Watch for sparks, embers, and wind, and make sure your fire or grill is cool to the touch before you walk away from it.
Weather
Moderate conditions continue across parts of Wyoming and eastern Montana due to continuing hot, dry, and breezy conditions, with temperatures reaching 90-100°F, RH lowering to 10-20%, and winds gusts of 20-35. Dry and breezy winds continue over parts of the Great Basin maintaining moderate conditions there. Moderate conditions also continue across the Southern Plains and Mississippi Valley again today with highs reaching 100°F and locally breezy winds, extending over Oklahoma and Kansas amid RH of 25-30%. Across the Pacific Northwest, western Northern Rockies, and Northern California, large fire potential continues to decrease as showers with cooler temperatures spread across the area. Showers and thunderstorms continue across the Southwest, extending into the central Rockies and the central Plains.
