US Wildfire Activity Rises to Preparedness Level 3, Utah Blaze Prompts Evacuations

The National Interagency Fire Center has elevated the national preparedness level to 3 due to a significant increase in wildfire incidents across the United States. Yesterday saw 86 new fires, with 37 large blazes remaining uncontained, including the massive Cottonwood Fire in Utah which has forced evacuations. Persistent fire weather conditions in the Intermountain West and Alaska suggest further lightning-sparked fires are possible.