Wildfire Report
Daily Tech Reader - Wildfire Edition
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Wildfire Report — National Overview
The U.S. remains at Preparedness Level 5, with wildfire resources heavily committed across the West. The latest NIFC situation report lists 140 active incidents encompassing more than 3.4 million acres and over 30,000 personnel assigned nationally. The Northwest remains the center of activity, while a strong cold front moving through the Pacific Northwest today is expected to produce very dry, windy conditions capable of rapid fire spread. Extreme heat also intensifies across interior northern California, keeping fuels critically dry and fire danger elevated.
Washington
Washington remains under significant wildfire pressure, particularly east of the Cascades. A strong cold front crossing the region today will bring increasing winds and very low humidity, creating the potential for rapid fire growth on existing incidents and new ignitions. Portions of central and eastern Washington face particularly dangerous fire-weather conditions during the afternoon and evening, while smoke remains a concern near active fires.
- Spokane — low-80s, dry, increasing winds
- Wenatchee — upper-80s, very dry, windy
- Yakima — upper-80s, dry, strong afternoon winds
Oregon
Oregon remains one of the country’s most active wildfire areas, with large incidents continuing to demand substantial firefighting resources. The most important development today is the passage of a strong cold front, which will combine dry fuels, low humidity, and gusty winds across central and eastern Oregon. Particularly dangerous fire-weather conditions are possible from the Columbia Basin through the Blue Mountains and into central Oregon, creating a significant risk of rapid fire spread.
- Bend — low-80s, dry, windy
- Medford — upper-90s, hot, dry
- Pendleton — low-80s, very dry, strong winds
California
California’s wildfire concern shifts increasingly toward extreme heat today. Interior northern California is entering one of its hottest periods of the summer, with parts of the Central Valley expected to reach roughly 106–112°F. Existing fires remain a concern, but the combination of extreme heat, very dry vegetation, and poor overnight humidity recovery will also increase the potential for new fire growth.
- Redding — near 110, extreme heat, dry
- Chico — mid-100s, hot, very dry
- Grass Valley — upper-90s, hot, dry
Idaho
Idaho continues to carry substantial wildfire activity, with smoke affecting portions of the state and large incidents requiring extended suppression operations. Hot and dry conditions persist across southern and central Idaho, while the approaching weather change across the Northwest increases winds in portions of the state. Existing fires may become more active during the afternoon as humidity falls and winds strengthen.
- Boise — low-90s, hot, dry
- Lewiston — upper-80s, smoke, breezy
- Idaho Falls — upper-80s, dry, afternoon winds
Montana
Montana continues to report significant wildfire activity, particularly across western and central portions of the state. Dry fuels remain receptive to fire spread, with afternoon winds and low humidity supporting active burning. Smoke from regional fires continues to affect western Montana, while isolated thunderstorms could produce locally gusty and erratic winds.
- Missoula — mid-80s, smoke, dry
- Helena — upper-80s, dry, breezy
- Billings — upper-80s, dry, isolated storms
Wyoming
Wyoming continues to see elevated wildfire conditions across grassland, brush, and forest fuels. Dry air and afternoon winds remain the principal concerns, particularly across central and northern portions of the state. Regional smoke may continue to reduce visibility at times, while gusty winds could increase fire behavior on existing incidents.
- Casper — upper-80s, dry, breezy
- Cheyenne — mid-80s, dry, afternoon winds
- Sheridan — mid-80s, haze, dry
Nevada
Nevada remains extremely dry, with wildfire potential elevated across the Great Basin despite a smaller concentration of major incidents than the Northwest. Hot temperatures and low afternoon humidity will keep vegetation highly receptive to ignition. Winds increase during the afternoon, creating the potential for rapid spread in grass and brush fuels.
- Elko — upper-80s, dry, breezy
- Winnemucca — low-90s, hot, dry
- Reno — mid-90s, hot, afternoon winds
Utah
Utah remains hot and dry, with wildfire danger elevated across much of the state. Very low humidity and dry fuels continue to support active fire behavior, while afternoon winds may produce locally rapid spread. Northern Utah may also experience periods of haze from regional wildfire smoke.
- Salt Lake City — mid-90s, hot, haze
- Ogden — low-90s, dry, breezy
- St. George — around 100, hot, very dry
Colorado
Colorado continues to manage several active wildfire incidents while hot and dry conditions persist across the Western Slope and portions of the Front Range. Afternoon winds and low humidity remain the primary fire-weather concerns. Smoke from regional fires may produce intermittent haze across northern Colorado.
- Denver — upper-80s, dry, breezy
- Fort Collins — upper-80s, haze, dry
- Grand Junction — upper-90s, hot, dry
Arizona
Arizona remains in a mixed summer fire-weather pattern, with very hot and dry conditions across western and southern portions of the state and thunderstorm potential across higher terrain. Lightning can produce new ignitions away from heavier rainfall, while thunderstorm outflows may generate sudden and erratic winds near existing fires.
- Flagstaff — low-80s, dry, isolated storms
- Prescott — upper-80s, hot, breezy
- Tucson — around 100, hot, isolated storms
New Mexico
New Mexico continues to see scattered wildfire activity amid hot conditions and seasonal thunderstorm development. Lightning remains an ignition concern, particularly where storms produce little rainfall, while thunderstorm outflow winds can cause sudden changes in fire behavior. Western and central New Mexico remain generally dry outside localized storms.
- 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