Active Fires in Upper Midwest and Northwest as California Braces for Winds

The nation remains at Preparedness Level 2, reflecting moderate fire activity and adequate firefighting resources nationwide. Cumulative season-to-date activity is tracking well above the ten-year average for both total ignitions and land burned, though recent rain and cooling have tamped down activity across the Great Basin. Suppression personnel are currently managing a dozen uncontained large wildfires, with significant activity concentrated in the Northwest and Upper Midwest.

Significant Fires

• Sisi Fire (Washington) — Burning in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest northwest of Stehekin, the fire continues to threaten nearby residences with smoldering and flanking behavior in timber litter. Area, road, and trail closures remain in place while crews work to secure containment lines.
• Ridge Fire (Michigan) — Burning north of Negaunee in Marquette County, this new large fire threatens local structures in rugged terrain. Evacuation orders along County Road 510 were downgraded to alert status, while the Noquemanon Trail system remains closed.
• Craig Lake 1 Fire (Michigan) — Located northwest of Michigamme in Baraga County, the fire has demonstrated active running, torching, and spotting through hardwood litter and timber. Ground crews face difficult access across rugged terrain as they build containment lines.
• Buckhorn 2 Fire (Idaho) — Burning southeast of Murtaugh in Cassia County, the fire threatened structures in Buckhorn Canyon before recent rain and cooling slowed spread. Mutual-aid rural fire districts have taken advantage of the moderated conditions to secure perimeter lines.
• PK Fire (Wyoming) — Burning between Beckton and Wolf in Sheridan County, the fire moderated following damp weather, prompting officials to downgrade all evacuation warnings. Beckton Road remains closed to allow crews to extinguish burning cottonwood trees and complete mop-up.
• Cyrus Fire (California) — Now contained southeast of Kernville in Kern County, the fire saw its forward spread halted by unified command crews. Evacuation orders east of Lake Isabella were downgraded to warnings as mop-up operations continue.
• Dome Fire (California) — Burning north of Wawona in Yosemite National Park, the fire is contained and has moderated to interior smoldering following recent precipitation. Incident managers are preparing to hand command back to the park, though select trail closures remain.

Conditions and Outlook

A Red Flag Warning takes effect Thursday across Los Angeles and Ventura counties due to gusty Santa Ana winds and critically low humidity, while Fire Weather Watches cover nearby mountain passes. Over the Northwest and Upper Midwest, cool conditions and incoming rain or snow showers over the next two days will assist firefighting efforts before gusty winds return by the weekend. In the lower Mississippi Valley, persistent dryness and increasing winds are expected to elevate regional fire potential through late week.

Burn Bans and Land Management

Emergency trail and area closures remain active in Yosemite National Park, the Okanogan-Wenatchee and Humboldt-Toiyabe national forests, and across Michigan's Noquemanon Trail system. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park in California is scheduled to reopen to visitors on Friday following fire containment and safety work.

What Residents Should Do

• Prepare for potential public safety power shutoffs and secure outdoor items across Southern California ahead of Santa Ana winds.
• Maintain situational readiness and keep emergency go-kits accessible if living in areas under evacuation warnings.
• Avoid all outdoor burning and check official services such as InciWeb for active closure boundaries.