Daily Wildfire Situation Report
Date: July 9, 2026
Source: Aggregated from the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) and other trusted national monitoring agencies.

National Overview

The United States is currently at a National Preparedness Level 4 (PL 4). This indicates that national wildland firefighting resources are heavily committed. Mobilization trends are affecting all geographic areas, and national priorities are governing the deployment of crews, aviation, and equipment.

The 2026 fire season is significantly outpacing recent years, fueled by below-average winter snowpack and an unusually warm, dry start to the summer across the American West. Year-to-date, 37,783 fires have burned more than 3.4 million acres across the United States. This represents 130% of the ten-year average for the number of fires and 146% of the ten-year average for total acres burned.

Significant Wildfire Situations

Over the last 72 hours, 167 new fires were reported nationwide. Firefighters are currently battling 37 large, active fires. The most impactful and noteworthy fires include:

1. Babylon Fire (Utah): Currently the largest active fire in the country, burning 100,479 acres approximately 25 miles southwest of Monticello.
2. Cottonwood Fire (Utah): Burning 94,417 acres in Beaver County. It is currently 25% contained.
3. Aspen Acres Fire (Colorado): Burning 73,367 acres in Custer and Pueblo counties with 0% containment. This fire is highly impactful as it is burning through populated areas, including portions of the town of Beulah, prompting significant evacuations.
4. Cherry Fire (Utah): Burning 34,252 acres in Juab County, currently 93% contained.
5. Ferris Fire (Colorado): Burning 33,428 acres in Montezuma County, currently 9% contained.
6. Snyder Fire (Utah): Burning 30,191 acres in Grand County, currently 95% contained.
7. Grapevine Fire (Nevada): Burning 26,464 acres in Lincoln County, currently 95% contained.
8. Pocket Fire (Arizona): Burning 24,165 acres in Yavapai County, currently 31% contained.

Firefighting Efforts

Thousands of federal, state, and local firefighters are currently deployed across the country to suppress the 37 uncontained large fires. With the nation at Preparedness Level 4, incident management teams, wildland fire crews, engines, bulldozers, helicopters, and airtankers are in high demand and are being prioritized for the most critical incidents. The heavy competition for resources means that geographic areas experiencing lower fire activity are drawing down their local reserves to support the heavily impacted regions in the Great Basin and the Rockies.

Weather and Fire Conditions

There are currently two active fuels and fire behavior advisories in place, covering the West Slope, Front Range, and southeast Colorado, Southern Wyoming, Eastern Nevada, Utah, and the Arizona Strip.

Warnings and Outlook:

• Red Flag Warnings: Many parts of the country are under red flag warnings due to extreme heat, critically dry vegetation, and gusty winds.
• Fire Weather: Breezy west to southwest winds (10-25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph) are developing across the Inland Northwest and Great Basin. Minimum relative humidity is falling to 10-25% across much of the Intermountain West.
• Impact on Firefighting: Isolated to mixed wet and dry thunderstorms are forecast for the central Rockies and Great Basin. Lightning ignitions often occur far from road systems, posing significant challenges for initial attack crews. Combined with outflow wind gusts up to 50 mph, these conditions mean that new and existing fires have an elevated potential to grow rapidly and behave erratically.

Information for Concerned Residents and Citizens

While lightning is a natural cause of wildfires, an average of 85% of wildfires are human-caused. Common causes include unattended campfires, loss of control during debris burning, and sparks from vehicles or equipment.

• Recreate Responsibly: Adhere to all local fire bans and restrictions. Avoid parking hot vehicles over dry grass, and ensure trailer chains are not dragging.
• Prepare Your Home: If you live in a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI), take time to prepare your "Home Ignition Zone." Clear dry leaves, pine needles, and combustible debris from your roof, gutters, and the immediate perimeter of your home.
• Stay Ready: Residents in areas with active fires or red flag warnings should monitor local emergency alerts. Have an evacuation plan in place and prepare a "go-bag" with essential documents, medications, and supplies. You can download a Wildfire Safety Checklist from the American Red Cross to help your household prepare.