National wildfire preparedness level raised to highest level

On July 18, the National Multi-Agency Coordination Group (NMAC) raised the nation to Preparedness Level 5 (PL5)—the highest national wildfire preparedness level in the United States.

A PL5 designation signifies that wildfire activity has reached extreme levels across the country. Firefighting resources are heavily committed, with multiple large and complex incidents occurring simultaneously. As a result, the availability of additional crews, engines, aircraft, incident management teams, and specialized equipment may become increasingly limited as agencies prioritize resources where they are needed most.

This is a reminder of the tremendous demands being placed on our wildland firefighters and support personnel. 

According to the National Interagency Fire Center, " Firefighters are working to suppress and contain 74 large fires across the country, including 5 new large incidents since yesterday. 19,397 firefighters and support personnel are engaged in nationwide fire activity, including 404 crews, 1,188 engines, and 140 helicopters.

So far this year, 40,771 fires have burned more than 3.9 million acres across the United States. Fires in the Northwest Geographic Area and fires in northern Minnesota pose the greatest demand for firefighting resources. Resource assignments are being prioritized based on life and property risk, operational impact, and probability of success.

In Colorado, six large fires are burning, including the Gold Mountain fire, which has consumed 37,962 acres and is 13 percent contained. The Elk fire has burned 2,300 acres and is zero percent contained. The largest wildfire in Colorado is the Aspen Acres fire, near Pueblo, burning over 100,000 acres and is 61 percent contained.

Two MAFFS C-130 airtankers and support personnel from the 302nd Airlift Wing Air Force Reserve, Colorado, have been deployed to Klamath Falls, Oregon.

On July 4th, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the deployment of 15 fire engines and crews to Colorado from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to assist in firefighting efforts. Several of those engines were in Gunnison on July 20. This marks the first time CAL FIRE has deployed firefighting resources to Colorado under the National Association of State Foresters (NASF) state-to-state partnership. The crews were expected to be in Colorado for up to 14 days. 

As of press time, the Air Quality Index for Gunnison is at 53, a moderate reading. Air quality throughout the United States and Canada has been impacted by wildfires.

The federal interagency risk incident management system website, inciweb, notes, "Wildland fire does not follow state lines, and neither does the response. Firefighters, engines, aircraft, and incident management teams are part of a national system designed to move resources where they are needed most. When one area experiences high fire activity, resources may be temporarily reassigned from areas with lower activity. This allows for faster response, stronger support, and safer operations during periods of increased demand.

"Resource movement is a sign of coordination and preparedness. It reflects a shared national commitment to support firefighters and communities, no matter where fires occur."

For daily updates, visit: www.inciweb.wildfire.gov and the website of the National Interagency Fire Center at www. nifc.gov