Nationwide, firefighters are currently working to contain 26 large fires across the country. There are 6,824 firefighters and support personnel assigned to incidents, including 92 crews, 267 engines, and 44 helicopters. Most fires report minimal to moderate fire behavior, although firefighters remain vigilant for changes in conditions.
Year-to-date, 57,087 fires have burned more than 8.5 million acres, 125% of the 10-year average number of fires and 145% of the average acres burned for this date.
Each September, our colleagues at FEMA recognize National Preparedness Month, and this year’s theme is “Americans Stand Ready.” On the tail end of a very busy summer during which many Americans were evacuated or otherwise at risk as wildfires burned nearby, this is a great time to consider how you and your community can be ready for future emergencies. Learn more at www.ready.gov/stand-ready.
Weather
Southwesterly winds 15-25 mph with gusts 30-40 mph will develop across northeast California into the northern Great Basin and southwest to central Montana today. Minimum relative humidity will be lowest from 10-20% from northern Nevada into central Montana with areas of elevated conditions expected. Breezy west winds will also occur in the Columbia Basin but will be accompanied by higher humidity above 30% and isolated to scattered showers. More widespread rainfall is expected near and west of the Cascades in Oregon and Washington, with wetting rain also expected in northern Idaho to western Montana. Warm and dry conditions are expected in southern California, but winds will be light outside the deserts. Widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms will continue in New Mexico, but areas of flooding are likely to be more localized than previous days. Above normal temperatures will continue in the southern Plains to Lower Mississippi Valley but with light winds and minimum relative humidity near or above 30%. A strong Nor’easter will develop off the Mid-Atlantic coast with strong northeast winds expected near the coast, with rain expected to spread into southern New England overnight. Areas of heavy rain are expected for the Big Island of Hawai’i and Maui as Hurricane Nolo approaches.
