A photo of the Gifford Fire in California. Photo: Fleming Bertelsen, USFS

UTAH – The National Preparedness Level has been raised to 4, signaling growing wildfire threats nationwide and increasing strain on firefighting resources. This elevation, announced by the National Interagency Fire Center as of August 5, reflects heightened fire activity across multiple regions and a sharp drop in nationwide resource availability. Forecasted weather patterns continue to favor the ignition and spread of large-scale wildfires—with demand for air tankers, engines, crews, and specialized equipment stretching thin.

Wildfires take hold in Utah

In Utah, the Monroe Canyon Fire currently dominates the landscape, having scorched approximately 64,957 acres across Sevier and Piute Counties. Containment of the blaze remains limited at 15%, even as fire crews continue aggressive suppression efforts on its northern and eastern fronts. The fire has prompted Level 3 evacuation orders for several area communities.

Governor Spencer Cox declared a 30-day state of emergency on July 31 to unlock vital fire-fighting support and resources.

Utah fire conditions at a glance

Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in effect statewide for all unincorporated lands and many federal areas, banning open flames and making rule violations punishable by up to 6 months in jail or a fine.
Utah has already experienced 693 wildfires in 2025, collectively consuming over 114,000 acres. Nearly 72% of these fires are human-caused.
Conditions are volatile: upcoming days remain hot and dry, and Red Flag Warnings remain active through much of northern Utah and the Wasatch Back region, with expected wind gusts reaching 35 mph.

Fires beyond Utah

The escalation in wildfire activity is not unique to Utah. Across the nation, fast-moving blazes continue to challenge fire response capabilities:

A recent report published by the Deseret News said 42,000 wildfires have occurred nationwide this year, burning more than 3.4 million acres. Presently, 42 large uncontained fires are being actively managed with 10 incident management teams, 283 crews, 784 engines, and 105 helicopters deployed.
The biggest fire currently burning in the U.S. is the Dragon Bravo Fire in northern Arizona, which has burned over 126,882 acres and is considered a “megafire” since it’s grown over 100,000 acres, per the National Interagency Fire Center.
Nearby states like Colorado and California are facing their own crises. In Colorado’s western Slope, the Lee Fire has expanded to over 22,000 acres amid high winds and drought conditions, making 2025 the worst fire year since 2020 there. Meanwhile, California’s Gifford Fire has become the largest blaze in the state this year, topping 83,000 acres and prompting mass evacuation orders.
Canada adds urgency with 747 active wildfires, two-thirds of which remain out of control, contributing to deteriorating air quality across North America affecting up to 81 million Americans, according to The Guardian.