Daily Wildfire Situation Report
Date: July 13, 2026

This report provides a high-level summary of the current wildfire situation across the United States, utilizing data from the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) and other trusted sources over the last 72 hours.

National Overview

The National Preparedness Level currently sits at Level 4 (on a scale of 1 to 5). A Level 4 designation indicates that national firefighting resources are heavily committed, and mobilization trends are affecting all geographic areas. Incident management teams and resources are being actively prioritized and reassigned from areas with lower fire activity to those experiencing the greatest need.

The 2026 fire season is running significantly ahead of normal. As of July 12, 38,956 fires have burned more than 3.5 million acres across the United States. This represents approximately 130% of the ten-year average for the number of fires and 146% of the ten-year average for acres burned. The early and aggressive start to this season has been driven by persistent drought conditions, above-normal temperatures, and significant carryover fuels from previous years, particularly in the Great Basin and Rocky Mountain regions.

Significant Wildfire Situations

Firefighters are currently working to suppress and contain 44 large fires across the country. The Great Basin and Rocky Mountain geographic areas remain the busiest regions. Key noteworthy fires and regions over the last 72 hours include:

1. Babylon Fire (Utah): Located 25 miles southwest of Monticello, this is currently the largest fire in the country, having burned over 100,479 acres with extreme fire behavior reported.
2. Summit Fire (California): Burning in Los Angeles County, this fire has reached 2,677 acres and was reported at 0% containment. It is highly noteworthy due to its proximity to heavily populated areas.
3. East Evans Creek Fire (Oregon): Located in Jackson County, this fire has burned 2,000 acres and remains at 0% containment.
4. Pistachio Fire (California): Burning in Kern County, this fire has reached 1,025 acres with 0% containment.

Firefighting Efforts

A massive nationwide response is currently underway to manage the escalating situation. As of the latest NIFC daily report, 15,150 firefighters and support personnel are engaged in wildfire activity across the United States.

Deployed resources currently include:

• 316 hand crews
• 952 engines
• 143 helicopters

Additionally, military support has been mobilized. Two Modular Airborne Firefighting System (MAFFS) C-130 airtankers and support personnel from the 146th Airlift Wing (California Air National Guard) have been deployed to San Bernardino and Santa Maria, California, to support wildland fire operations on a national level.

Weather and Fire Conditions

Weather conditions continue to pose severe challenges for firefighting efforts. Meteorologists predict hot temperatures persisting in the central and northern West. Above-normal temperatures will combine with breezy southwest-to-west winds (12-22 mph, gusting to 30 mph) and critically low afternoon relative humidities (5-15%).

• Areas of Concern: These conditions will elevate fire weather risks across parts of the northern Great Basin, northeastern California, southeastern Oregon, the Northern Rockies, and the western tier of the Dakotas. Extreme heat is also expected over the lower elevations of the Intermountain West, Northern Great Plains, and northwestern Great Lakes.
• Red Flag Warnings & Advisories: Many parts of the country are experiencing Red Flag Warnings due to heat, dry conditions, lightning, and wind. There are active fuels and fire behavior advisories covering the West Slope, Front Range, and southeast Colorado, southern Wyoming, eastern Nevada, Utah, and the Arizona Strip. Fires that ignite in these conditions have the potential to grow rapidly.
• Relief: The Southwest expects some minor relief in the form of scattered showers and thunderstorms as monsoonal moisture advances northward out of Mexico.

Information for Concerned Residents and Citizens

With national resources heavily strained, public cooperation is vital. Historically, an average of 85% of wildfires are human-caused, meaning the public has a significant opportunity to prevent new ignitions and help protect communities and first responders.

• Practice Fire Safety: Check local fire restrictions before recreating outdoors.
• Vehicle Safety: Avoid parking vehicles on dry grass, as hot exhaust systems can easily ignite vegetation. Ensure trailer chains are secured and not dragging, which can create sparks on the pavement.
• Campfires: If campfires are permitted in your area, ensure they are fully extinguished and cold to the touch before leaving them unattended.
• Stay Informed: Residents living in or traveling through areas with active fire behavior advisories should remain highly aware of critically dry fuel conditions and the potential for rapidly changing fire environments. Monitor local emergency management channels for evacuation orders and updates.