Elevated to Critical Fire Weather Conditions Persist Across Western US Amidst Numerous Wildfires

The National Interagency Fire Center reports 83 new fires and 97 large fires actively burning nationwide as of August 8, 2026. Elevated to locally critical fire weather conditions are expected across the northern half of the West, with hot, unstable conditions, poor overnight recovery, and breezy westerly winds gusting between 25 and 40 mph. High-risk significant fire potential is also noted for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Smoke impacts and air quality issues are ongoing in affected regions.