Pacific Northwest Showers Ease Fire Behavior as California Crews Secure Lines

The nation remains at Preparedness Level 2 as initial attack activity slows and resource availability remains steady. Cumulative fire activity and burned area this season remain well above the ten-year average, with thousands of personnel deployed to active incidents concentrated primarily in the Northwest and California. Recent rainfall across the Pacific Northwest has moderated several large fires, while crews in California and the Rockies work to secure lines on persistent incidents.

Significant Fires

• Dome Fire (California) — Burning in heavy dead-and-down timber within the Yosemite Wilderness north of Wawona, the fire has prompted closures of Glacier Point Road, several backcountry trails, and local airspace while crews build containment lines. No park structures or utility infrastructure are currently threatened.
• Timber Fire (California) — Flames continue backing and making uphill runs in Los Padres National Forest near Big Sur, where extensive public land and road closures remain in place across the Monterey Ranger District. Successful line construction prevented further perimeter growth toward populated areas, allowing Monterey County to downgrade evacuation orders to warnings.
• Three Queens Fire (Washington) — Burning east of Snoqualmie Pass in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, the fire is smoldering following recent precipitation but continues to threaten nearby residences and infrastructure.
• Moonshine Fire (Wyoming) — Managed southwest of Wheatland, the fire is exhibiting backing behavior in timber and brush while continuing to threaten nearby homes.
• Little Giant Fire (Washington) — Located in steep terrain northwest of Leavenworth in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, the fire is showing minimal creeping and smoldering after wetting rainfall.
• Lake Ranch Fire (Oklahoma) — Burning northwest of McAlester, the fire showed minimal activity and is now contained.

Conditions and Outlook

Widespread wetting rain across western Oregon, Washington, northern Idaho, and western Montana will continue to dampen fire activity over the next few days. In contrast, dry and breezy southwesterly winds will maintain elevated fire potential from northeast California through the northern Great Basin into central Montana. Over central California incident locations, cool and overcast weather will gradually transition to warmer, drier conditions with shifting northeasterly breezes heading into midweek.

Burn Bans and Land Management

Emergency public lands, roads, and trails closures remain in effect across the Monterey Ranger District in Los Padres National Forest through late January. Trail and road closures also remain active in Yosemite National Park, Mt. Hood National Forest, and Washington Department of Natural Resources lands.

What Residents Should Do

• Heed all active evacuation warnings and stay clear of closed forest roads, trails, and wilderness areas.
• Monitor local air quality advisories and reduce outdoor physical activity if smoke settles into nearby valleys.
• Verify highway conditions and regional trail closures before traveling near active fire areas.