National Preparedness Drops as Critical Heat and Cascades Winds Persist

The National Preparedness Level has dropped to Level 2 as resource demands ease and initial attack activity moderates nationwide. Wildfire activity and acres burned so far this year remain well above the ten-year national averages, with major incidents concentrated across the Northwest, Southern, and Northern Rockies regions. Over ten thousand personnel remain committed to nearly one hundred active blazes across the country.

Significant Fires

• Dome Fire (California) — Burning near Wawona in Yosemite National Park, the fire maintains trail and backcountry closures east of Wawona Road following a fatal firefighting helicopter crash during water drops.
• Three Queens Fire (Washington) — Located east of Snoqualmie Pass, the fire expanded with active growth, prompting local evacuations, trail closures, and structure defense efforts.
• Gracemont Fire (Oklahoma) — Now fully contained in Caddo County, the wildfire destroyed dozens of structures during a stretch of extreme heat and drought.
• Hydra Fire (Texas) — Crews secured perimeters in Bosque County, allowing emergency officials to lift all mandatory evacuation orders for Meridian after federal disaster assistance was approved.
• Timber Fire (California) — Burning in rugged Ventana Wilderness terrain within Los Padres National Forest southeast of Big Sur, the fire continues to threaten hundreds of structures.
• Sisi Fire (Washington) — Firefighters are utilizing aerial water drops to protect infrastructure in the Stehekin River Valley, with sections of the Pacific Crest Trail and local roads remaining closed.
• Paradise Fire (Oregon) — Burning in timber and brush on the Umatilla National Forest east of Milton-Freewater, the blaze continues to threaten critical infrastructure amid area and road closures.
• Chileno Fire (California) — Forward progress has been stopped west of Petaluma in Marin County, though heavy smoke generated a local air quality health advisory across southern Sonoma County.

Conditions and Outlook

Hot, dry conditions and low humidity will drive elevated to high fire potential across eastern Texas and the Lower Mississippi Valley through midweek. In the Pacific Northwest, breezy mountain gap winds will ease as cooler temperatures and rain chances increase across the Washington Cascades by late week. California will see gradually warming temperatures and drying conditions, leading to moderate fire potential in northeastern regions.

What Residents Should Do

• Heed all evacuation notices and trail closures near active mountain fires.
• Limit outdoor exertion and keep windows closed in areas impacted by dense smoke.
• Avoid outdoor burning and activities that generate sparks during hot, dry afternoon weather.