National Wildfire Preparedness Level Raised to 4 Amid Extreme Fire Danger in Western U.S.

The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) has elevated the national wildfire preparedness level to 4, with 40 large fires actively burning across the country. Critically dry vegetation and extreme heat are fueling elevated wildfire danger, particularly in Eastern Nevada, Utah, the Arizona Strip, Colorado, and Wyoming. The Cottonwood Fire in Utah is nearly 94,000 acres with 23% containment, and the Snyder Mesa Fire in Colorado has burned over 30,000 acres.