There are 11 uncontained large fires currently burning nationwide. 2,559 personnel are assigned to incidents across the country, including one complex incident management team committed to the South Fork Fire in Nebraska. This fire is threatening numerous residences and evacuations are in place. Active fire behavior is reported on incidents across multiple geographic areas.
So far this year, 32,373 fires have burned more than 2.5 million acres nationwide. While national fire activity has been light over the past several weeks, these year-to-date numbers are well above the 10-year averages of 23,626 fires and 1.43 million acres. Many red flag warnings and heat advisories are in place throughout the country. Both weather and fuels models predict increased fire danger in multiple geographic areas in the coming weeks.
Taking care of your vehicle is an important way to prevent dangerous wildfires. Make sure that your vehicle is in good working condition (sparks should not be flying from a well-maintained vehicle), that any chains used for towing are secured and that nothing can drag, and park on pavement, not vegetation. Once you're at your destination, be vigilant around campfires and barbeques. Watch for sparks, embers, and wind. Before you leave the area or go to sleep, make sure your fire or grill is all the way out and cool to the touch!
Weather
Widespread elevated to critical conditions will persist across portions of the Southwest, Great Basin, and Rocky Mountain areas, as well as California today. Across these areas, variable winds between 10-15 mph with gusts 15-35 mph and relative humidity values between 5-15% are expected, with the highest winds across the West Slope and central Great Plains. Across central California valleys, Las Vegas, and southern portions of the Southwest, temperatures exceeding 100 degrees are expected. A storm threat begins to return to the Southwest Area today with the chance for isolated storms across portions of Arizona, with more widespread thunderstorms across the eastern half of New Mexico and southeastern Colorado. In the northern Rockies, scattered thunderstorms will continue to move east across northern Idaho and Montana accompanied by higher relative humidity values and gusty winds. In the eastern U.S., scattered showers and thunderstorms will continue to move east across the Southern and Eastern areas. Coastal relative humidity values will be between 35-45%, with the lowest values in the Carolinas where triple digit temperatures are expected. In Alaska, moderate conditions are expected, with scattered thunderstorms across the eastern half of the state and relative humidity values across portions of central Alaska between 25-35%.
