Late-Season Wildfires Active Across Upper Midwest and Western States

The United States remains at National Preparedness Level 2 with light initial attack activity, though year-to-date fire starts and total burned area remain well above the ten-year average. Late-season fire activity is concentrated in the West, where Southern California maintains the highest regional preparedness level, alongside localized incidents in the Pacific Northwest and Upper Midwest. Favorable humidity and autumn precipitation have begun aiding suppression efforts on several active blazes across the country.

Significant Fires

• Surgone Fire (California) — Burning near Weitchpec in Humboldt County, the wind-driven fire has threatened multiple structures and prompted the closure of Jack Norton Elementary School. Crews continue working to establish control lines in steep terrain as warm, dry weather persists.
• Sisi Fire (Washington) — Managed by a complex incident management team northwest of Stehekin, the fire continues to threaten nearby residences with creeping and flanking behavior in timber. Trail and road closures remain in effect throughout the area.
• Ridge Fire (Michigan) — Burning north of the Dead River Basin in Marquette County, the fire is situated in rocky terrain that restricts heavy equipment access. Recent humidity increases allowed officials to lift residential evacuations and downgrade alert levels, though area trail closures remain in place.
• Craig Lake Fire (Michigan) — Crews are cutting containment lines by hand in remote wilderness north of Craig Lake State Park in Baraga County, where rocky ground prevents machinery access. Dense smoke from the incident has triggered air quality alerts across neighboring counties.
• Bike Fire (California) — Firefighters halted forward spread in Santa Clarita after the blaze rapidly pushed through brush and threatened residences in Sand Canyon. Structure defense prevented home losses, allowing all evacuation orders to be lifted as crews mop up.
• Cyrus Fire (California) — Burning near Lake Isabella in Kern County, the fire prompted weekend evacuations and shelter operations before crews secured the majority of its perimeter. Evacuation notices have since been downgraded as firefighters hold established lines.
• Three Queens Fire (Washington) — All county evacuation notices have been lifted in Kittitas County as fire activity moderates, though forest closures and Pacific Crest Trail detours remain in force. Firefighters continue to patrol interior burning and reinforce containment lines.
• Buckhorn 2 Fire (Idaho) — Burning southeast of Murtaugh in Cassia County, this human-caused fire saw dampened activity following localized rainfall. Rural fire districts and partner agencies have secured substantial containment along its perimeter.

Conditions and Outlook

No active Red Flag Warnings are in effect nationwide, though moderate fire potential persists across Northern California's Sacramento Valley and northern foothills as temperatures climb and humidity drops through midweek. In contrast, arriving rainfall, cool temperatures, and late-week snow showers across Michigan's Upper Peninsula will suppress fire behavior and assist ground crews. Elevated fire weather is projected to build across parts of the Mid-South later in the week as unseasonable heat meets an incoming gusty cold front.

What Residents Should Do

• Monitor emergency alerts through local platforms such as Genasys Protect and check official incident dashboards before traveling near active fires.
• Limit outdoor exertion and keep windows closed across Michigan's Upper Peninsula where smoke continues to degrade air quality.
• Respect active trail and road closures around fire footprints, including detours along the Pacific Crest Trail and local recreation corridors.