U.S. raises wildfire preparedness to the highest level as 78 large fires burn nationwide

Federal authorities on Saturday raised the national wildfire preparedness level to Level 5, the highest on the five-tier scale, as 78 large fires burned across the country and firefighting resources were in high demand.

The National Interagency Fire Center reported that 19,378 firefighters and support personnel were engaged in wildfire operations as of Sunday, including 420 crews, 1,142 engines, and 144 helicopters. The Northwest Geographic Area has been the most active region, accounting for the highest concentration of new fires and committed incident management teams.

The Northwest Geographic Area alone has 36 uncontained large fires and recorded 58 new fires in a single day, with 5,860 personnel assigned across 37 incidents. In Oregon, the newly reported Hay Creek Complex has burned 92,211 acres, while the Rowe Creek Complex has consumed 36,110 acres. The East Evans Creek Road Fire has threatened structures and communications infrastructure, prompting evacuations and road closures.

In Washington state, the Kaiser Canyon Fire has burned 38,225 acres, and the Lyons Ferry Fire has consumed 34,787 acres, with both threatening numerous structures and forcing evacuations.

The Rocky Mountain Geographic Area remains at Preparedness Level 4, with six large fires burning in Colorado. The Aspen Acres Fire in Custer County has burned 100,224 acres and is 61% contained, while the Gold Mountain Fire near Ouray has consumed 37,809 acres and is only 13% contained.

In Utah, the Babylon Fire has burned 107,173 acres and is 93% contained, while the Cottonwood Fire has consumed 97,464 acres and is 90% contained.

Minnesota’s Superior National Forest continues to battle multiple large fires, with the Bear Trap Fire at 34,545 acres and the Thumb Fire at 15,394 acres, both at 0% containment. Rainfall has moderated fire activity in the region, but officials warn conditions are expected to dry out, increasing the fire threat once again. The Little Knife Fire, burning northeast of Grand Marais, crossed the international border from Canada into the United States.

Four military C-130 aircraft equipped with the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System are supporting wildfire operations nationwide. Two aircraft from the 302nd Airlift Wing have been deployed to Klamath Falls, Oregon. One aircraft from the 153rd Airlift Wing is operating from San Bernardino, California, and one from the 146th Airlift Wing has been deployed to Santa Maria, California.

So far this year, 40,560 fires have burned more than 3.88 million acres across the United States. That represents about 33% above the 10-year average.

Weather forecasts predict extreme heat across the Northern Plains on Sunday, with temperatures 10 to 20 degrees above normal and relative humidity falling as low as 15% to 20%. Hot, dry, and breezy conditions will continue across the Inland Northwest and most of California.

The National Interagency Fire Center’s Predictive Services forecasts hot, dry, and breezy conditions across the Inland Northwest, Northern California, and the western Great Basin in the coming days. Thunderstorms with both wet and dry lightning are expected across parts of the Great Basin, Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana.