Firefighters are working to suppress and contain 78 large fires across the country, including 15 new large incidents since yesterday. 23,151 firefighters and support personnel are engaged in nationwide fire activity, including 513 crews, 1,327 engines, and 153 helicopters.
So far this year, 41,779 fires have burned more than 4 million acres across the United States. Red flag warnings have expanded significantly since yesterday and there are wide areas in which heat advisories or extreme heat warnings persist. The Northwest Geographic Area has 37 large fires and continues to identify new starts. The National Interagency Coordination Center lists current fuels and fire behavior advisories.
Two MAFFS C-130 airtankers and support personnel from the 302nd Airlift Wing (Air Force Reserve, CO) have been deployed to Klamath Falls, OR. One MAFFS C-130 airtanker and support personnel from the 153rd Airlift Wing (WY Air National Guard) has been deployed to San Bernardino, CA. One MAFFS C-130 airtanker and support personnel from the 146th Airlift Wing (CA Air National Guard) has been deployed to Santa Maria, CA to support wildland fire operations nationally.
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
Elevated to locally critical fire weather conditions are expected near and east of the Cascades and northern Sierra, where gusty west to southwest winds, low relative humidity, and recent lightning activity will support new fire starts and large fire growth. Gusty west winds will also develop across the central Idaho Mountains and much of the Northern Rockies as showers and thunderstorms continue across the Southwest, Great Basin, and into the Northern Rockies, bringing thunderstorm activity to many areas that have recently experienced hot and dry conditions. Farther east, breezy conditions and low relative humidity and hot temperatures will support elevated fire weather conditions across the southern High Plains, where isolated mixed wet and dry thunderstorms may lead to new fire starts. In Minnesota, a weak cold front will bring locally breezy conditions followed by isolated to scattered thunderstorms tonight. Heavy rain and possible flash flooding are also expected across portions of the southern Atlantic Coastal States and Middle Mississippi Valley. Farther south, isolated thunderstorms may reach southern Florida, where dry fuels remain receptive to new ignitions.
Daily statistics
Number of new large fires or emergency response * New fires are identified with an asterisk
