Yesterday, 257 new fires were reported nationwide, including three new large fires. Currently, firefighters are working to contain 51 uncontained large fires across the country. National Preparedness Level remains at 4 (PL 4).
The largest fire in the nation remains the Cottonwood Fire near Beaver, Utah. Firefighters continue to respond to active incidents across multiple geographic areas, while new large fire activity and continued hot, dry and windy conditions in parts of the Great Basin, Rocky Mountain and Southwest areas continue to support rapid fire growth. More than 9,000 personnel are currently assigned to active incidents nationwide.
Predictive Services has issued a new Fuels and Fire Behavior Advisory for much of Colorado and southern Wyoming. The advisory highlights critically dry fuels and the potential for increased fire activity as hot, dry and windy conditions persist. Fire managers and the public should remain aware of local fire restrictions and elevated fire danger.
The Fuels and Fire Behavior Advisory that covers eastern Nevada, the Arizona Strip, and much of Utah remains as well. It highlights the unusually dry live and dead fuels in the area.
Today marks Day 2 of the National Wildland Fire Week of Remembrance, a time to honor those who have lost their lives in the line of duty while reflecting on lessons learned from serious incidents. Throughout the week, the National Wildfire Coordinating Group will share stories and lessons from the 2016 fire season. We invite everyone to follow along and learn more.
Weather
Southwest winds 12-25 mph with gusts 25-45 mph amid RH of 3-15% will develop across the Greater Four Corners into the central High Plains today creating widespread elevated to critical conditions. The strongest winds are likely in the Four Corners to the southern Front Range of Colorado. Isolated dry thunderstorms will also develop from central and eastern New Mexico into the Front Range and central High Plains this afternoon with several new ignitions likely. Farther north and west, cooler temperatures will continue for California into the northwestern U.S., and scattered showers and thunderstorms will develop in the northern Great Basin to northern Rockies. Well above normal temperatures are expected in the Great Lakes, but relative humidity will remain elevated and green-up will help mitigate. Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms will develop from the central Plains into the Great Lakes and Northeast, as well, with scattered thunderstorms along the northern Gulf Coast into Florida. Cool and showery conditions are expected across much of Alaska today, while moderate trade winds and scattered showers are expected in Hawai’i.
Daily statistics
Number of new large fires or emergency response * New fires are identified with an asterisk
Approximately three miles west of Darwin Ranch, near upper Gros Ventre Falls in the Gros Ventre Wilderness on the Jackson Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest (34 Miles NW of Cora, WY)
