Showers dampen Northwest wildfires while California crews protect threatened communities

The national preparedness level remains at Level 2, reflecting moderate activity nationwide with adequate firefighting resources available. Total wildfire activity and burned acreage for the season continue to outpace the ten-year average, though widespread autumn precipitation across the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies is helping moderate late-season fire behavior. Wildland firefighters are currently managing over two dozen large uncontained blazes across the country.

Significant Fires

• Dome Fire (California) — Burning north of Wawona in Yosemite National Park, the fire continues spreading through heavy dead timber within an older burn scar, with firefighters actively protecting nearby mountain communities. Glacier Point Road and surrounding wilderness trails remain closed following a fatal helicopter crash during aerial water drops.
• Timber Fire (California) — Located southeast of Big Sur in the Los Padres National Forest, the fire continues creeping and making uphill runs through rugged drainages, though evacuation orders have been downgraded to warnings. Temporary flight restrictions remain strictly enforced after unauthorized drone activity disrupted firefighting aircraft.
• Three Queens Fire (Washington) — Smoldering in heavy timber east of Snoqualmie Pass, the fire continues to threaten nearby residential structures and power transmission corridors. Public access to local campgrounds and hiking trails remains restricted under an updated forest closure order.
• Sisi Fire (Washington) — Burning northwest of Stehekin in Chelan County, the fire exhibits active backing and isolated tree torching in timber litter. The fire continues to threaten nearby residences and local energy infrastructure.
• Moonshine Fire (Wyoming) — Burning southwest of Wheatland in the central Laramie Range, the fire is seeing steady containment progress across rangeland. Fire crews continue maintaining defensive lines to protect nearby ranch properties.
• Sand Creek Fire (Montana) — Located east of Wisdom in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, the fire displays subdued backing and smoldering behavior. The Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway remains closed while crews remove hazardous trees along the corridor.
• Upper Smith Fire (Idaho) — Burning west of Porthill in the Idaho Panhandle National Forests, firefighters are steadily securing perimeter lines. Forest Road 281 and surrounding recreational trails remain closed for firefighter and public safety.
• Lake Ranch Fire (Oklahoma) — Igniting northwest of McAlester in Pittsburg County, the wind-driven grass and timber fire is now fully contained following rapid suppression efforts by state forestry crews.

Conditions and Outlook

No active Red Flag Warnings are currently in effect across the country, and significant fire potential remains low across western states. Breezy conditions and dry air linger across northeast California, northern Nevada, and central Montana before yielding to cooler, overcast weather over the weekend. Meanwhile, widespread wetting rains across the Cascades and Northern Rockies will moderate fire behavior before warmer, drier air gradually returns early next week.

Burn Bans and Land Management

Extensive forest, road, and trail closures remain in effect across Yosemite National Park, Mt. Hood National Forest, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, and Idaho Panhandle National Forests to safeguard the public and support ongoing fire operations.

What Residents Should Do

• Never fly unauthorized drones near active wildfires, as any airspace incursion immediately grounds all firefighting aircraft.
• Follow all local evacuation notices and maintain defensible space around homes near fire perimeters.
• Check with local land management agencies before visiting national forests and parks to verify trail and road closures.