Late-Season Wildfire Activity Remains Subdued as Calmer Weather Prevails Nationwide

The National Wildland Fire Preparedness Level remains at Level 1, reflecting minimal competition for firefighting resources as regional agencies handle incidents locally. Although total ignitions and burned area for the year to date stand well above the ten-year average, late-autumn fire activity is currently light across the country. Only a handful of uncontained large wildfires remain active nationwide, with suppression teams securing lines on existing fires in Wyoming, New Hampshire, and Florida.

Significant Fires

• Foot Creek Fire (Wyoming) — Burning in the Bighorn National Forest west of Buffalo, Wyoming, the fire has prompted Level 2 'SET' evacuation alerts for nearby homes and emergency forest road closures. Suppression efforts continue under a local incident management team after unauthorized civilian aircraft twice disrupted aerial operations.
• Wild River Fire (New Hampshire) — Burning in the White Mountain National Forest as the largest wildfire in the forest's recorded history, the incident has closed Wild River Road and surrounding trails while keeping the Appalachian Trail open. Firefighters and helicopters are actively mopping up hot spots and securing direct containment lines.
• Prospect Fire (Oregon) — Located near Lake Billy Chinook in Jefferson County, Oregon, the fire has quieted as established perimeter lines held and evacuation warnings were reduced to Level 1. Fire crews have transitioned to mop-up operations with no structural damage reported.
• Bee Haven 2 Fire (Florida) — Burning through southern rough fuels in Hamilton County, Florida, this incident remains the largest uncontained wildfire currently tracked nationally. Crews continue to monitor the area as the fire holds within its containment footprint.
• Ridge Fire (Michigan) — Located in Marquette County in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, the fire is holding firmly within perimeter lines under state oversight. Personnel remain on scene conducting mop-up and patrol operations toward full containment.

Conditions and Outlook

No Red Flag Warnings or critical fire-weather directives are in effect nationwide following the end of gusty offshore winds in Southern California. Over the next 72 hours, an incoming Pacific storm system will bring widespread rain and elevated moisture to northern California and the Pacific Northwest, while cool, rainy weather moves into the Northeast to aid suppression on the Wild River Fire. In northern Wyoming around the Foot Creek Fire, gusty winds will ease into milder, dry conditions with minimal chance of precipitation.

Burn Bans and Land Management

Lake Chinook Fire & Rescue has indefinitely suspended outdoor burn permits in Jefferson County, Oregon, to reduce ignition risks near the Prospect Fire. Meanwhile, Deschutes National Forest crews conducted prescribed pile burns southwest of Crescent, Oregon, taking advantage of damp late-autumn conditions to clear hazardous fuels.

What Residents Should Do

• Never fly unauthorized civilian drones or aircraft near wildfires, as airspace intrusions immediately force aerial firefighting operations to shut down.
• Prepare emergency go-bags and stay alert to local notifications if living near the Foot Creek Fire under Level 2 readiness warnings.
• Obey emergency forest road and trail closures in the Bighorn and White Mountain National Forests to keep routes clear for emergency responders.