Monday Morning Wildfire Update: Large Fires Across The West.

Yesterday was an incredibly active wildfire day across the United States, with widespread Red Flag Warnings bringing large fire growth. Utah popped off, Oregon and Washington, multiple new fires in California, and fires that had been fairly calm stood back up.

Nevada also had new starts, with temperatures reaching into the 110-degree+ range. That will be the big catalyst over the next couple of weeks. Temps across Nevada could hit 120 degrees today, and this week, parts of Oregon will see 100+ degrees, as will California and Utah.

The two-week outlook is more of the same, plus parts of Idaho and Montana are seeing temperatures rise into the 100s at the end of this week.

Alaska will start sending crews back South as rain has moved in with cooler temps. Those crews will be needed in the lower 48.

The Precipitation outlook doesn’t bring a lot of relief for the Great Basin or the Pacific Northwest.

Oregon had the Salt Creek Fire start late yesterday evening and it quickly went big. Before the sun went down, it was estimated at 1,000+ acres, and the Department of Forestry in Oregon ordered a Team to come in and take it over.

The Pioneer Fire was active again in Washington and has grown to over 9,000 acres. Crews continue to prep roads and conduct firing operations.

The Salt Creek Fire: Subscriber submitted

California had numerous fires pop off, and other existing fires started to run. The Royal Fire on the Tahoe National Forest, The Vista Fire on the San Bernadino National Forest, and the Shelly Fire on the Klamath National Forest were all very active. The Shelly Fire was mapped at 3,380 acres this morning and is already active as the sun is coming up.

The Shelly Fire: 5:45 AM local time

Utah had massive fire growth yesterday. The Silver King Fire outside Marysvale is now 11,000+ acres, and a Complex Incident Management Team, Great Basin Team 2, will assume command today. Fixed-wing aircraft were grounded yesterday afternoon due to turbulent winds, but helicopters and crews stayed engaged.

The governor of Utah held a briefing with fire managers to discuss the evolving wildfire situation.

The Silver King Fire: Subscriber Submitted

Then, the Deer Springs Fire took off on BLM land outside Kanab, Utah, and quickly went 9,000+ acres. I would not be surprised if we get a morning update saying it is larger than that. A local Type 3 team was ordered and will take command of that fire.

The Deer Springs Fire: Subscriber Submitted.

Desert fires in the Great Basin have started to big on every ignition.

It is shaping up to be a very busy week. A few fires started in the Southwest, but they were quickly handled after cooler temperatures and higher humidity settled in the area. Some lightning fires are being responsibly managed with confine and contain strategies in New Mexico, like the 8,400-acre box being built on the Fisher Fire. Other starts, like the Snowshed Fire in the Coconino NF, are being fully suppressed in Arizona. The Southwest has moved back to a Preparedness Level 2.

It’s going to be a busy week. Stay hydrated, stay heads up, and know where your escape routes and safety zones are.

For those not on fires and who still want a workout for this morning, I got you covered.

Find yourself a good soundtrack or podcast, and let’s get it done.

Get loose and dynamic stretch until warmed up. If you need to adjust some of these numbers, that’s ok; just push yourself.

Round 1: Three Times