Preparedness Level Lowers as Critical Fires Burn in Texas and California

The National Preparedness Level was lowered to 4 after nearly seven weeks at the highest readiness level, reflecting improved resource availability and moderating fire behavior across parts of the Pacific Northwest. Even so, cumulative activity this season remains well above the ten-year national average, with thousands of wildland firefighters, military personnel, and international crews committed to dozens of uncontained large fires nationwide. Critical suppression efforts remain concentrated on major incidents threatening communities and infrastructure in northern Texas and along California's Central Coast.

Significant Fires

• Ross Fire (Texas) — Burning in Palo Pinto County, Texas, this human-caused fire has destroyed multiple homes and damaged outbuildings while crews continue to defend hundreds of nearby structures. Persistent heat and gusty winds continue to challenge suppression efforts across the grassland terrain.
• Plaskett Fire (California) — Active in Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties, the blaze advanced onto Fort Hunter Liggett military land, prompting closures along Highway 1 and active shelter operations in Cambria. Ground crews and aviation resources are working to secure perimeter lines in rugged coastal terrain.
• Timber Fire (California) — Burning in Monterey County's Los Padres National Forest, the fire continues to threaten hundreds of structures despite recent evacuation warning downgrades and adjusted road closures near Big Sur. Firefighters continue to reinforce containment lines and extinguish interior heat.
• Little Giant Fire (Washington) — Located in Chelan County, Washington, the fire has destroyed homes and cabins in the Entiat Valley and prompted deployment of active-duty army units to assist suppression. Cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity have helped slow forward progression around Lake Chelan.
• Grasshopper Fire (Oregon) — In Oregon's Mt. Hood National Forest, recent wetting rains and lower temperatures helped crews secure significant perimeter lines, enabling officials to reopen key recreation sites including the Timberline Trail. Firefighters remain on alert for hazardous fire-weakened timber along backcountry roads.
• Three Queens Fire (Washington) — Burning in Kittitas County, Washington, this fire and neighboring blazes forced public closures of popular holiday weekend destinations around Lake Cle Elum, Lake Kachess, and the upper valley. Incident personnel are working to protect recreational infrastructure and establish fuel breaks.
• Frijoles Fire (New Mexico) — Burning in the Santa Fe National Forest, arriving monsoonal moisture enabled crews to secure substantial containment, prompting local authorities to lift all evacuation readiness warnings and reopen State Road 503.
• Dudley Fire (Idaho) — In Shoshone County, Idaho, firefighters secured perimeter lines near Wallace, allowing officials to lift all evacuation warnings and reopen Beaver Creek Road to through-traffic.

Conditions and Outlook

Red Flag Warnings remain active across central and northeastern Wyoming due to unseasonably warm temperatures, low relative humidity, and strong wind gusts capable of driving fast-moving grass fires. In northern Texas, triple-digit heat and gusty winds will maintain elevated fire potential around the Ross Fire over the next several days. Along the central California coast, mild temperatures, morning fog, and onshore breezes will favor containment operations before slightly warmer, drier conditions develop early next week.

Burn Bans and Land Management

Recreational closures remain in place across the Lake Cle Elum and Lake Kachess corridors in Washington and along sections of Highway 1 in central California. In Minnesota, the Superior National Forest lifted forest-wide campfire restrictions and scheduled the reopening of multiple Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry points.

What Residents Should Do

• Check local road closures and evacuation notices before traveling through fire-affected areas in northern Texas and coastal California.
• Heed red flag warnings and avoid outdoor activities that generate sparks, including dragging trailer chains or parking on dry grass.
• Monitor regional smoke forecasts and stay indoors with air filtration when particulate levels rise.

Resources

• National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC)
• InciWeb Incident Information System
• AirNow Smoke and Fire Map
• Ready.gov Wildfires Safety