Evacuations Active in California and Wyoming as Critical Fire Weather Persists

The nation remains at Preparedness Level 3 with dozens of uncontained large blazes burning across eight geographic areas, supported by thousands of wildland firefighters and international personnel. Total wildland fire activity and area burned this year continue to track significantly above the ten-year national average. Response crews are prioritizing perimeter containment and structure protection across active incidents in California, Wyoming, and the southern Plains.

Significant Fires

• Lucas Fire (California) — Burning in Lake and Mendocino counties, the blaze prompted a local emergency declaration, with active evacuation orders around Potter Valley and Witter Springs and an evacuation shelter in Lakeport. Diminishing fire behavior has allowed ground crews to engage directly and secure perimeter lines.
• Timber Fire (California) — Burning in the Los Padres National Forest southeast of Loma Vista, the fire has destroyed a structure and injured personnel while keeping hundreds of residents under evacuation orders. Ground crews and incident management teams continue securing containment lines in rugged terrain.
• Moonshine Fire (Wyoming) — Active in Albany County, the fire has destroyed minor structures and triggered emergency area closures alongside utility shutoffs. Firefighters are utilizing aerial drone ignitions along Reed Creek to halt northward spread and protect nearby ranches.
• Ross Fire (Texas) — Ignited along U.S. Highway 180 in Palo Pinto and Jack counties, this human-caused fire destroyed over a hundred structures across its footprint. Suppression crews continue patrolling and securing established control lines.
• Plaskett Fire (California) — Burning in the Los Padres National Forest across Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties, the blaze is seeing steady containment progress by suppression personnel. A southern closure of Highway 1 remains in effect between Pacific Valley and the county line to support operations.
• Sinlahekin Fire (Washington) — Emergency officials in Okanogan County have lifted all remaining evacuation orders as crews strengthen containment lines across the footprint. Fire personnel remain on scene conducting mop-up and monitoring.
• Lookout Fire (South Dakota) — Now fully contained near Spearfish, all evacuation orders on Lookout Mountain have been lifted and local roads have reopened. State investigators confirmed the fire was human-caused from roadside debris.
• Double Barrel Fire (Texas) — The fire burning in Davy Crockett National Forest near Pennington is now fully contained. U.S. Forest Service crews have completed suppression operations and are monitoring remaining hot spots.

Conditions and Outlook

Red Flag Warnings cover parts of central and southern Wyoming due to strong winds and dry conditions, alongside warning areas in Northern California's Sacramento Valley. High fire potential and heat advisories persist across central Texas, while gusty winds in Wyoming will moderate over the coming days as cooler weather and rain chances arrive. Northern California will experience mild temperatures and dry conditions with moderate winds through mid-week.

Burn Bans and Land Management

Emergency area closures and local power shutoffs remain in effect in Albany County, Wyoming, while outdoor burning is strongly discouraged across Red Flag Warning zones in Wyoming and Northern California.

What Residents Should Do

• Heed all active evacuation orders and shelter notices in Lake and Monterey counties.
• Avoid outdoor burning and equipment use that can generate sparks in areas under Red Flag Warnings.
• Stay alert for sudden wind shifts and changes in smoke conditions near active fires.