as of October 10 at 7:30 a.m. MDT (on a scale from 1 to 5)
Current hours for the National Fire Information Center are
(MST) 8:00 am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday
208-387-5050
This report is currently updated on Fridays.
Please check the IMSR for more information.
December 12, 2025
Fire activity across the country remains relatively light today, a welcome pause for a system that stays ready year-round. Nationally, one uncontained large fire is currently on the report, the Ponderosa Fire in Oklahoma, burning approximately 277 acres in hardwood litter southeast of Stilwell. Firefighters continue full suppression efforts, with containment reported at 59 percent and an estimated completion date of December 13.
Over the past week, firefighters responded to 95 fires nationwide, the vast majority of which were quickly contained during initial attack. That early success reflects strong coordination across local, state, Tribal and federal partners and a shared commitment to keeping fires small when conditions allow. National Preparedness Level remains at PL 1, signaling lower overall demand for firefighting resources, even as readiness remains high.
While many parts of the country are settling into winter, wildland fire does not take a holiday. Weather patterns and dry conditions in some regions continue to require attention, and firefighters and support personnel remain prepared to respond wherever they are needed.
As the holiday season approaches, it is also a good moment to pause and reflect. Whether on the fireline, in dispatch centers, at weather desks, in warehouses, or behind the scenes supporting operations, thousands of wildland firefighters and support professionals have given their time, expertise and long hours this year to protect communities, infrastructure and the public lands we all value. Their work often happens far from the spotlight, but its impact is felt nationwide.
The holidays are also a reminder that wildfire prevention is a year-round responsibility. Winter burning, debris piles, warming fires and outdoor activities can still spark unwanted fires. Taking a few extra moments to check conditions, follow local restrictions and ensure fires are completely out is one of the simplest ways to support those who stand ready to respond.
From all of us, thank you to the wildland fire community and to the public for helping protect the places we cherish. Wishing everyone a safe, peaceful and fire-safe holiday season.
Well above normal temperatures and dry conditions are expected across the West through the weekend. Temperatures will remain above normal into next week, as well, with dry conditions persisting for southern California and the southern third of the West. A series of Pacific storms are expected to move across the northern half of the West next week bringing periods of precipitation, heaviest in the Cascades westward. Snow levels are expected to average near 3,000 feet along the Canadian border and 6,000 to 7,000 feet in northern California and the northern Great Basin. Dry conditions will also persist on the central and southern Plains next week, with periods of relative humidity as low as 15% on the southern High Plains. Winds are expected to be light to moderate, but locally elevated conditions due to westerly winds are possible mid-next week. A strong cold front will bring snow to the northern Plains to the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic through tomorrow, with bitterly cold air behind it. This front will be dry through the Southeast with breezy north winds behind it, but precipitation last week will mitigate. Much warmer conditions are expected by mid-next week, with showers possible in the Lower Mississippi Valley and possibly spreading north and east into the Appalachians and Northeast late next week. In Alaska, very cold temperatures will persist across the state for the next week, aside from a brief warm-up today across the Interior. Strong northerly winds are also expected at times in south-central Alaska, with strong winds expected tonight and another period early next week. For Hawai’i, a weakening cold front will keep lighter winds and showers across the state today. Another, stronger cold front will approach the state Sunday into Monday, with heavy rain possible for the western islands. Another front may approach the state late next week for another period of enhanced rainfall.
| Number of new large fires or emergency response * New fires are identified with an asterisk |
1 | States currently reporting large fires: |
| Total number of large fires | 1 | |
| Acres from all active large fires | 277 | |
| Fires contained | 0 |
| 2025 (1/1/25-12/12/25) | Fires: 63,880 | Acres: 4,949,852 |
| 2024 (1/1/24-12/12/24) | Fires: 54,769 | Acres: 8,503,902 |
| 2023 (1/1/23-12/12/23) | Fires: 53,774 | Acres: 2,619,414 |
| 2022 (1/1/22-12/12/22) | Fires: 65,401 | Acres: 7,434,866 |
| 2021 (1/1/21-12/12/21) | Fires: 56,300 | Acres: 7,065,302 |
| 2020 (1/1/20-12/12/20) | Fires: 56,213 | Acres: 9,772,026 |
| 2019 (1/1/19-12/12/19) | Fires: 48,484 | Acres: 4,578,227 |
| 2018 (1/1/18-12/12/18) | Fires: 53,430 | Acres: 8,554,602 |
| 2017 (1/1/17-12/12/17) | Fires: 58,583 | Acres: 9,419,986 |
| 2016 (1/1/16-12/12/16) | Fires: 61,746 | Acres: 5,313,432 |
| 2015 (1/1/15-12/12/15) | Fires: 56,365 | Acres: 9,801,785 |
| 2015-2024 | Fires: 56,349 | Acres: 7,298,510 |
Oklahoma
| Fire | Unit | Agency | Size | % Ctn | Location | Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| * Ponderosa | Oklahoma Division of Forestry | ST | 277 | 59 | Six miles southeast of Stilwell, OK |
