Wildfire Report
Daily Tech Reader - Wildfire Edition
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National Overview
The U.S. remains at Preparedness Level 5, with 97 uncontained large fires burning across the country and 30,636 personnel assigned nationally, including 661 crews, 1,856 engines, and 204 helicopters. NIFC reports 3.45 million acres burned in large fires, a figure the agency acknowledges understates the true total, particularly in the Northwest where mapping has lagged the pace of fire growth. The Northwest continues to dominate the national picture. A dry cold front that swept through Saturday produced breezy westerly winds gusting to 40 mph through the Cascade gaps, and while that front has passed, elevated to locally critical fire conditions persist today across the northern half of the West. Relative humidity remains in the single digits to low teens across much of the region, and no significant rain is forecast for the next seven to ten days.
Washington
Washington carries 36 active incidents totaling more than 530,000 acres, making it one of the two most heavily impacted states in the country. The three largest fires — Kaiser Canyon, Sinlahekin, and Little Giant — are all burning in Okanogan and Chelan counties in north-central Washington, collectively accounting for nearly 374,000 acres. The Nunamaker Road fire in Franklin County, sparked by a human cause, has grown to 25,000 acres with zero containment, and the Little Goose fire in Columbia County is also uncontained. Saturday's PDS Red Flag Warning — a designation that had never been issued in the Pacific Northwest before this season — has expired, but breezy westerly winds and low humidity continue today with elevated fire weather conditions expected through the afternoon.
- Wenatchee — upper-80s, dry, breezy
- Spokane — mid-80s, dry, decreasing winds
- Okanogan — upper-80s, smoke, dry
Oregon
Oregon is the most fire-impacted state in the nation, with 56 active incidents consuming nearly 1.95 million acres — approaching the state's all-time record. The Big Grass fire in Malheur County remains the single largest active incident in the country at more than 504,000 acres and only 39% contained. The Crosswhite fire in Wheeler County has grown to 337,000 acres, and the Grasshopper fire in Wasco County is at 54,000 acres with just 23% containment. Westerly winds through the Cascade gaps are generating continued Red Flag conditions today in the Lower Columbia Basin and portions of eastern Oregon, with gusts to 30 mph and very low relative humidity keeping fire danger elevated.
- Pendleton — low-80s, very dry, gusty winds
- Bend — low-80s, dry, breezy
- Medford — upper-90s, hot, dry
California
California reports 108 active incidents, though acreage is substantially lower than Oregon or Washington at roughly 24,500 acres. The most active large fire is the Gann fire in Calaveras County at more than 10,000 acres and 60% contained, followed by the Bug fire in Lassen County at 6,500 acres. Despite limited large-fire acreage, conditions today are dangerous. Maximum temperatures will exceed 100°F across lower elevations of the Central Valley and interior north, with relative humidity in the single digits and poor overnight recovery. NIFC has issued a new fuels and fire behavior advisory for Southwest Idaho and Eastern Nevada/Central Utah, and isolated dry lightning is a concern today extending into the central Sierra.
- Redding — near 108, extreme heat, very dry
- Chico — low-to-mid 100s, hot, dry
- South Lake Tahoe — upper-80s, dry, dry lightning risk
Idaho
Idaho carries 18 active incidents with 175,000 total acres. The Tartar fire in Washington County remains the largest at more than 158,000 acres, now 87% contained. More concerning today is the MM115 Hwy 20 fire in Elmore County at nearly 5,000 acres with only 10% containment, and the Upper Smith fire in Boundary County at 3,200 acres and 32% containment. NIFC issued a new fuels and fire behavior advisory for Southwest Idaho today, and hot, dry conditions with afternoon breezes will keep existing fires active. Critical conditions persist along the Idaho Panhandle as well.
- Boise — low-90s, hot, dry
- Lewiston — upper-80s, smoke, breezy
- Twin Falls — low-90s, hot, dry
Montana
Montana reports 35 active incidents covering just over 34,600 acres — lower acreage than most neighboring states but spread across a wide geographic area. The Sand Creek fire in Beaverhead County leads at nearly 9,000 acres with only 1% containment, followed by the Silvertip fire in Flathead County at more than 6,200 acres and uncontained. The Bobcat Lakes fire in Beaverhead County and the Slough Grass fire in Rosebud County are also active. Hot and dry conditions persist across western and central Montana, with afternoon winds and low humidity supporting active fire behavior. Smoke from regional fires continues to affect western portions of the state.
- Missoula — mid-80s, smoke, dry
- Helena — upper-80s, dry, afternoon winds
- Great Falls — upper-80s, dry, breezy
Wyoming
Wyoming's 24 active incidents are concentrated in acreage terms around the Bare fire in Sublette County at 443 acres with zero containment, with most other incidents remaining well under 300 acres. Dry fuels and afternoon wind remain the principal fire concerns, particularly across central and northern Wyoming. Grassland and brush fuels are highly receptive to ignition, and regional smoke is reducing visibility across portions of the state at times.
- Casper — upper-80s, dry, breezy
- Sheridan — mid-80s, haze, dry
- Lander — upper-80s, dry, afternoon winds
Nevada
Nevada carries 13 active incidents totaling nearly 112,000 acres, led by the Mouse Meadow fire in Nye County at 51,000 acres and 65% contained, and the New Pass fire in Churchill County at nearly 38,000 acres and 75% contained. NIFC has issued a new fuels and fire behavior advisory for Eastern Nevada and Central Utah, pointing to persistent hot and dry conditions with poor overnight humidity recovery. Afternoon winds increase fire spread potential in grass and brush fuels across the Great Basin.
- Elko — upper-80s, dry, breezy
- Winnemucca — low-90s, hot, dry
- Reno — mid-90s, hot, afternoon winds
Utah
Utah reports 17 active incidents covering more than 324,000 acres, the third-highest state total in the country. The Widemouth 2 fire in Millard County leads at nearly 115,000 acres with just 27% containment, a significant ongoing concern. The Babylon fire in San Juan County has reached 107,000 acres. The newly started Black Canyon fire in Sanpete County and Rocky Canyon fire in Morgan County are both uncontained. NIFC's fuels and fire behavior advisory covering Central Utah is in effect today, reflecting critically dry conditions and poor overnight recovery that support extended burning periods.
- Salt Lake City — mid-90s, hot, dry
- Provo — low-90s, dry, afternoon winds
- Cedar City — low-to-mid 90s, hot, very dry
Colorado
Colorado has 11 active incidents totaling more than 157,000 acres. The Aspen Acres fire in Custer County has burned nearly 102,000 acres and reached 72% containment. The Elk fire in Hinsdale County is more concerning at 6,760 acres with only 36% containment, and the 310 fire in Garfield County is at 603 acres with just 19% containment. Temperatures will exceed 100°F today across lower elevations of the Western Slope, with afternoon winds and low humidity keeping fire weather conditions elevated. Smoke from regional fires is producing intermittent haze across northern and western parts of the state.
- Grand Junction — upper-90s, hot, dry
- Pueblo — upper-80s, dry, breezy
- Gunnison — mid-80s, dry, afternoon winds
Arizona
Arizona reports 14 active incidents with just over 4,000 total acres, a relatively modest footprint compared to the Northwest. The largest active fire is the Island fire in La Paz County at 3,145 acres and 92% contained. Monsoon thunderstorm activity remains the primary variable today, with wet storm coverage well below average but isolated dry lightning possible across portions of northern and central Arizona. Thunderstorm outflow winds can produce sudden and erratic behavior on existing fires, while the Mogollon Rim area is seeing the most active monsoon moisture in the state.
- Flagstaff — low-80s, isolated storms, breezy
- Prescott — upper-80s, hot, isolated storms
- Tucson — around 100, hot, isolated storms
New Mexico
New Mexico shows 28 active incidents with just over 4,100 acres, scattered across multiple counties. The Frijoles fire in Santa Fe County leads at 1,000 acres with no containment, followed by the Rayado Mesa fire in Colfax County at 934 acres and 81% contained. Lightning remains an active ignition concern, particularly where storms produce little rainfall, and thunderstorm outflows can generate sudden wind shifts near existing incidents. Western and central New Mexico remain generally dry outside of localized monsoon activity.
- Santa Fe — mid-80s, dry, isolated storms
- Albuquerque — low-90s, hot, breezy
- Gallup — mid-80s, dry, isolated storms
Sources: NIFC/NICC Incident Management Situation Report, NIFC Fire Information, WFIGS, FireRisk.ai, weatheronthisday.com/wildfires/active, National Weather Service, The Weather Channel