Preparedness Level Lowered as Fires Threaten California and Northern Rockies

The National Interagency Fire Center lowered the National Wildland Fire Preparedness Level to Level 3 as national resource demands eased and fire weather moderated in several regions. Year-to-date wildfire activity and burned area remain substantially higher than the ten-year national average, with dozens of uncontained large fires active nationwide. International personnel and military air support continue assisting suppression efforts across multiple geographic areas.

Significant Fires

• Plaskett Fire (California) — Burning southwest of Big Sur in the Los Padres National Forest, the fire maintains mandatory evacuation orders and warnings across coastal zones while keeping Highway 1 closed. Fire crews continue suppression efforts in steep terrain with an emergency shelter open in Cambria.
• Timber Fire (California) — Located in the Los Padres National Forest and Ventana Wilderness, the fire continues to threaten hundreds of structures along the Big Sur corridor. Firefighters remain deployed in heavy numbers to establish and hold containment lines.
• Ross Fire (Texas) — Burning near Palo Pinto, the fire has exhibited torching and creeping behavior that threatens numerous residential structures. Incident management teams are actively directing suppression operations to protect threatened homes.
• Lookout Fire (South Dakota) — Ignited near Spearfish by reignited roadside hay bales, the fire prompted mandatory evacuations that have now been lifted. Travel restrictions remain in effect along sections of Interstate 90 while crews secure perimeter lines.
• Sand Creek Fire (Montana) — Burning east of Wisdom in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, the fire continues creeping and backing through timber and brush. Forest closures remain active as flames threaten local structures and communication infrastructure.
• Crooked Fire (Idaho) — Located northeast of Idaho City in the Boise National Forest, the fire has held its perimeter in steep and rocky terrain. Forest officials maintain emergency closures across several recreational trails along the North Fork of the Boise River.
• Little Giant Fire (Washington) — Burning northwest of Leavenworth in Chelan County, the fire's growth has slowed as military ground support concluded its deployment. Firefighters have shifted their focus toward suppression repair along the Chiwawa River drainage.
• Kurk Fire (Texas) — Burning northeast of Cherokee in San Saba County, aerial and ground crews halted forward progression through heavy brush. Personnel remain on scene conducting mop-up and strengthening containment lines.

Conditions and Outlook

Red Flag Warnings are in effect across central and southwest Montana and central Wyoming due to gusty westerly winds and dry air, while extreme heat persists across southern California and the southern Plains. Near coastal California fires, unseasonably warm and dry conditions will gradually ease into cooler weather and higher humidity by the weekend. In the northern Rockies, gusty winds will elevate fire behavior before cooler temperatures and scattered moisture arrive later in the week.

Burn Bans and Land Management

Emergency area, road, and trail closures remain enforced across sections of the Los Padres, Beaverhead-Deerlodge, and Boise National Forests. Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged across areas under active Red Flag Warnings in Montana and Wyoming.

What Residents Should Do

• Follow all mandatory evacuation orders and warnings in Monterey County coastal zones.
• Avoid outdoor burning and activities that could generate sparks during gusty, low-humidity conditions.
• Observe highway travel restrictions and yield to emergency vehicles along Highway 1 and Interstate 90.