Daily Wildfire Situation Report
Date: July 12, 2026
Source: National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) and Interagency Partners

National Overview

The United States is currently experiencing a highly active and severe early fire season. As of the latest National Fire News report, the National Preparedness Level remains at Level 4 (on a scale of 1 to 5). This elevated level, which was reached weeks earlier than normal on June 29, indicates that national firefighting resources are heavily committed across multiple geographic areas and are becoming stretched thin.

So far this year, 38,747 fires have burned more than 3.4 million acres across the United States. This represents roughly 130% of the ten-year average for the number of fires and 146% of the ten-year average for acres burned. The surge in fire activity has been driven by a winter of below-average snowpack, a remarkably warm and dry start to the summer, and recent widespread lightning storms across drought-stricken regions.

Significant Wildfire Situations

Over the last 72 hours, fire activity has been particularly intense in the Great Basin, Rocky Mountains, and Southern California. Firefighters are currently working to contain 42 uncontained large fires. The most noteworthy fires and regions include:

1. Babylon Fire (San Juan County, Utah): Currently the largest active fire in the country, the Babylon Fire has consumed over 103,600 acres and is 44% contained.
2. Cottonwood Fire (Beaver County, Utah): Burning over 97,100 acres with 70% containment, this has been one of Utah’s most destructive fires of the year, fueled by critically dry vegetation.
3. Aspen Acres and Ferris Fires (Colorado): The Rocky Mountain region is battling multiple large incidents. The Aspen Acres Fire has burned over 97,000 acres (28% contained), and the Ferris Fire has burned over 63,000 acres (19% contained).
4. Summit Fire (Southern California): Though smaller in acreage at approximately 2,700 acres (8% contained), this fire is highly impactful due to its proximity to populated areas near the Los Angeles-San Bernardino county line. It has spurred evacuation orders in the community of Llano amid searing heat.
5. Superior National Forest Wildfires (Minnesota): A complex of 17 active wildfires was sparked by lightning storms between July 6 and July 8. Several of these fires are burning inside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), complicating access and suppression efforts.
6. Alaska Region: Alaska continues to manage 7 large, active fires. While some resources have recently been reallocated to the lower 48, the state remains a significant contributor to the national acreage burned.
7. Great Basin Region: As a whole, the Great Basin remains the busiest geographic area in the country, accounting for the vast majority of deployed personnel and large fires.

Firefighting Efforts

Nationwide, there are currently more than 14,400 personnel assigned to wildfire incidents. In the last 24 hours alone, 164 new fires were reported, including seven new large fires.

Due to the high national demand for firefighting resources and the rapid initial attack requirements over the last 72 hours, the National Interagency Coordination Center is actively prioritizing and reallocating personnel and equipment to the areas of greatest need. To bolster aerial support, the U.S. Forest Service has activated military aircraft equipped with Modular Airborne Firefighting Systems (MAFFS). This includes two C-130 airtankers and support personnel from the California Air National Guard's 146th Airlift Wing, which have been deployed to Southern California to assist with fire suppression efforts.

Weather and Fire Conditions

Current Weather & Warnings:
Hot, dry, and windy conditions are elevating fire weather today across the western Great Basin, northeastern California, the northern Rockies, and much of the Inland Northwest. Extreme heat is continuing across portions of the Intermountain West and Northern Great Plains. Red Flag Warnings are in effect across multiple states due to the combination of critically dry fuels, high temperatures, dry lightning, and gusty winds. In Southern California, approaching monsoonal moisture is threatening to bring erratic wind conditions, which can cause unpredictable and rapid fire spread.

Predictive Outlook & Impacts:
According to the NIFC's predictive outlook, above-normal significant fire potential is expected to continue throughout July across nearly all of the Great Basin. This risk will spread steadily northward into Idaho and Wyoming by late summer.

Community Concerns:
For communities near active fires, these weather conditions mean that fires can grow quickly and behave erratically, making direct attack by firefighters dangerous and difficult. Residents in high-risk areas should be highly concerned about the potential for sudden evacuation orders and rapidly changing air quality due to heavy smoke.

Information for Concerned Residents and Citizens

• Stay Informed: Monitor real-time, incident-specific details through trusted sources like InciWeb and your local county emergency management office.
• Be Prepared to Evacuate: If you live in an area with active fires or Red Flag Warnings, follow the "Ready, Set, Go!" principles. Prepare your property by clearing brush, pack an emergency go-bag with essential documents, medications, and supplies, and evacuate immediately if ordered by local authorities.
• Prevent Human-Caused Fires: With national resources stretched thin, prevention is critical. Adhere strictly to local fire restrictions and burn bans. Fully extinguish campfires where they are still allowed, avoid parking hot vehicles on dry grass, ensure trailer chains are not dragging and sparking on the pavement, and strictly obey all local fireworks bans.
• Protect Your Health: Smoke from large fires can travel hundreds of miles. Monitor your local Air Quality Index (AQI) and keep windows closed or use air purifiers if smoke levels become unhealthy, especially for sensitive groups.