National Preparedness Level Lowers While Santa Ana Winds Threaten California

The National Wildland Fire Preparedness Level has dropped to Level 1 following widespread rain and snow across much of the interior West, though Southern California remains at Level 3 under critical Santa Ana wind conditions. Season to date, wildfire activity and burned area continue to track well above the ten-year national average, even as national resource mobilizations decline and only about a dozen uncontained large fires remain active. Suppression efforts are now primarily handled locally, with active incidents concentrated in the Pacific Northwest, Upper Midwest, and South.

Significant Fires

• Sisi Fire (Washington) — Burning northwest of Stehekin in Chelan County, the fire continues backing and flanking through timber litter, threatening nearby residences under wilderness closures. Overcast conditions are expected to yield cooler temperatures, gusty winds, and a chance of showers before calmer weather returns.
• Ridge Fire (Michigan) — Firefighters northwest of Marquette are establishing containment lines through rugged terrain, allowing precautionary evacuation orders along County Road 510 to be lifted while nearby roads remain on alert. Wintry precipitation and strong wind gusts are tracking across the area before cooler, breezy conditions settle in.
• Craig Lake 1 Fire (Michigan) — Originating from a smoldering lightning strike in deep duff north of Craig Lake State Park, the fire is being managed under trail closures and flight restrictions. Crews continue perimeter work as weather conditions across the Upper Peninsula turn cooler with incoming precipitation.
• PK Fire (Wyoming) — Burning between Beckton and Wolf in Sheridan County, fire managers are allowing interior cottonwood groves to burn out due to dangerous falling trees. Beckton Road remains closed at Soldier Creek Road while recent precipitation helps firefighters maintain perimeter lines.
• South White Wolf Fire (Oklahoma) — State foresters are working to halt active running and torching fire behavior in timber southeast of Broken Bow in McCurtain County. Crews have constructed initial control lines along portions of the perimeter to prevent further spread.
• Dowling Fire (Mississippi) — Ignited in the Delta National Forest in Sharkey County, the fire threatened nearby structures before activity subsided to smoldering in hardwood litter and logging slash. Firefighters remain on scene securing lines and monitoring remaining heat sources.
• Black River Fire (Michigan) — Burning south of Wakefield in remote timber, management of the incident has transitioned to state forestry personnel. Ground crews and bulldozers have successfully tied containment lines into the Little Black River to secure the southern flank.
• Dome Fire (California) — Now contained, the fire in Yosemite National Park remains confined to smoldering timber and slash north of Wawona. Incident command has transferred back to the National Park Service, though localized trail and road closures remain in place.

Conditions and Outlook

Red Flag Warnings and wind advisories remain in effect through Saturday across Southern California and the Sierra Nevada as strong Santa Ana winds combine with dry fuels and unseasonable heat. Elsewhere, an autumn storm system is bringing rain and mountain snow across the central Rockies, Plains, and Great Lakes, dampening fire danger across those regions. Fire weather conditions are forecast to moderate significantly heading into early next week as offshore winds diminish along the Pacific Coast.

Burn Bans and Land Management

State park closures are in effect across the Santa Monica Mountains during the Red Flag Warning, alongside precautionary closures of Topanga Canyon Road. Flight restrictions and trail closures remain active around fires in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and national forest lands in Washington and California.

What Residents Should Do

• Conduct rapid ember audits around homes by clearing dead vegetation and moving combustible items away from exterior walls.
• Prepare for potential Public Safety Power Shutoffs and monitor local emergency channels if living in Santa Ana wind corridors.
• Observe regional park closures and avoid restricted roads, including Topanga Canyon Road.