National Preparedness Level 5 as Wildfires Spur Evacuations Across the West

The nation remains at National Preparedness Level 5, with fire activity and total land burned running well above the ten-year average for this point in the season. Tens of thousands of wildland firefighters, supported by deployed military units and international crews, are battling dozens of uncontained large fires nationwide. Critical suppression operations are concentrated in the Northwest, Great Basin, California, and Texas.

Significant Fires

• Plaskett Fire (California) — Burning aggressively in Monterey County's Los Padres National Forest and threatening Fort Hunter Liggett, the blaze has forced the closure of Highway 1 and prompted mandatory evacuations across Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties.
• Ross Fire (Texas) — Spreading across Palo Pinto and Jack counties, the fire has destroyed and damaged hundreds of structures across rural ranchland, with emergency shelters established in Jacksboro and Weatherford.
• Little Giant Fire (Washington) — Burning in Chelan County as Washington's largest active incident, crews continue protecting thousands of threatened structures while officials downgrade evacuation tiers ahead of incoming rain.
• Austin Fire (Oregon) — Active in Mount Hood National Forest across Clackamas, Marion, and Wasco counties, the fire continues to trigger Level 3 'Go Now' evacuation orders and recreation closures along the Clackamas River corridor.
• Timber Fire (California) — Burning along the Big Sur coast in Monterey County, the fire threatens hundreds of homes while strict shelter-in-place orders remain in effect for coastal communities.
• McCully Fire (Oregon) — Advancing into the North Fork John Day Wilderness across Baker and Grant counties, the fire has prompted expanded Level 3 'Go Now' evacuations as crews conduct defensive burning operations.
• Sand Creek Fire (Montana) — Burning in Beaverhead County, firefighters maintain structure protection in Grasshopper Valley while emergency managers downgrade local evacuation notices.
• McConnell Fire (Nevada) — Spreading through dry grass and brush near Orovada in Humboldt County, the fire is actively threatening ranch buildings and regional communication infrastructure.

Conditions and Outlook

A Red Flag Warning covers northeastern California and northwestern Nevada due to gusty winds and low humidity, while intense heat and dry fuels maintain elevated fire potential across Texas. In the Pacific Northwest, cooler temperatures and incoming rain are expected to moderate fire behavior over the coming days. Coastal California will experience overcast conditions and moderate humidity, though warm interior temperatures sustain elevated fire risk.

Burn Bans and Land Management

Active fuels and fire behavior advisories are posted for North Central Texas, Southwest Idaho, and the Pacific Northwest, alongside emergency area, road, and trail closures across national forests in California, Oregon, and Idaho.

What Residents Should Do

• Heed all mandatory evacuation orders immediately and check local sheriff alerts for updated zone boundaries.
• Never operate unauthorized drones near active wildfires, as incursions force the immediate grounding of aerial suppression aircraft.
• Maintain an emergency go-kit with at least a seven-day supply of food, water, and essential medicines in shelter-in-place zones.

Resources

• National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC)
• InciWeb Incident Information System
• AirNow Wildfire Smoke Map
• Ready.gov Wildfire Safety