Fire preparedness level rises to level 5 nationwide

Photo: National Interagency Fire Center

UTAH – On Thursday, National Interagency Fire Center and Utah fire officials increased the national fire preparedness level to PL5, the highest state of preparedness.

Significant wildland fire activity is now occurring in most geographic areas with a high potential for additional large wildland fires to emerge. National resources like hotshot crews, airtankers, smokejumpers and communications equipment, are heavily committed and the National Interagency Coordination Center is coordinating requests for these resources with geographic area coordination centers.

The Utah wildfire dashboard shows 7 active fires in Utah. On Friday, Utah Fire announced the Speirs Fire, burning near Flaming Gorge in the Ashley Natinoal Forest had closed two campgrounds in the area – Greedale group campground and Firefighters Memorial campground – and firefighters are working to ensure residents of Dutch John are safe. That fire is 764 acres and 12% contained.

The National Multi-Agency Coordination Group establishes the level throughout the year. Their decision is dictated by fuel and weather conditions, fire activity, and fire suppression resource availability throughout the country. The five preparedness levels range from the lowest (1) to the highest (5).