Yesterday, 108 new fires were reported nationwide, including four new large fires. Firefighters are currently working to contain 48 uncontained large fires across the country. National Preparedness Level remains at 4 (PL 4), with more than 16,800 personnel assigned to incidents nationwide. Large fires continue to burn in all 10 Geographic Areas, reflecting widespread wildfire activity across the United States.
Fire activity remains elevated across the West while Minnesota continues to be an area of national focus this fire season. Ongoing incidents there are a reminder that wildfire can impact communities across the country, reinforcing the importance of a coordinated national response that moves firefighters, aircraft and incident management teams where they are needed most.
Predictive Services has issued a new Fuels and Fire Behavior Advisory for the Pacific Northwest, where record-low winter snowpack and ongoing drought have caused live and dead fuels to cure much earlier than normal. Current conditions are more typical of mid-August, with recent lightning producing efficient ignitions and new fires exhibiting rapid growth. Fire managers expect longer burn periods, increased resistance to control and a heightened potential for large fire development across the region.
Whether you're at home or recreating outdoors, stay aware of changing fire conditions by monitoring local emergency alerts, checking fire restrictions before heading outdoors and following evacuation orders immediately if they are issued.
Weather
Monsoonal moisture beneath an upper-level ridge will bring another round of wet and dry thunderstorms across much of the West today. Cloud cover may limit storm development, but isolated to scattered showers are expected. Dry thunderstorms are possible along the northern edge of the moisture across central Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, while dry and breezy conditions persist across parts of the northern High Plains. Onshore flow of 10-15 mph will develop across the central California coast ranges and Central Valley, where relative humidity may fall to 10-25%. The Pacific Northwest will remain between high pressure and an offshore trough, supporting strong southwesterly winds and thunderstorm development. Locally heavy rainfall is possible west of the Cascades, while storms in southwestern Oregon are more likely to remain dry. The upper ridge will continue to produce above-normal and potentially record-breaking heat from the northern Rockies through New England and into the mid-Atlantic, with highs of 95-105°F possible. Meanwhile, heavy rain will continue across central Texas into the middle and lower Mississippi Valleys, where flood watches remain in effect.
