Great Basin Fire

08/01/2026

07/25/2026

We are deeply saddened to share that wildland firefighter Nathan Matthews, 43, of Lincoln, Nebraska, died Friday from injuries sustained while responding to the Knowles Fire in western Colorado on June 27. Nate had been receiving medical care for burn injuries sustained during the incident.

Nate was a dedicated member of the Rifle Helitack crew out of Colorado and was one of five firefighters involved in a burnover during initial attack operations. Three firefighters – Emily Barker, Nick Hutcherson, and Sydney Watson – died at the scene.

Please keep Nate’s family and the wildland fire community in your thoughts. Information regarding memorial services for Nate will be released at a later date.

https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/fourth-firefighter-dies-following-knowles-fire-burnover-colorado

07/18/2026

Full send ahead. As of 7:30 a.m. today July 18, the National Multi-Agency Coordination Group (NMAC) has raised the country to Preparedness Level 5 (PL5).

PL5 is the highest national wildfire preparedness level in the United States. It means wildfire activity is extreme, firefighting resources are heavily committed nationwide, and additional crews, aircraft, and equipment may be limited as agencies respond to multiple large, complex incidents simultaneous.

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06/30/2026

06/29/2026

The National Preparedness Level increased to 4 (PL4) today, June 29, as significant wildland fire activity is occurring across multiple geographic areas, resulting in a substantial commitment of incident management teams.

The National Interagency Coordination Center is increasingly coordinating with geographic area coordination centers to prioritize and fill resource orders for all national resources, with a heavy demand being placed on lower-activity geographic areas to provide available resources.

Forecasts also indicate a continued high potential for new large fires to emerge across multiple geographic areas in the coming days.

Preparedness levels range from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest), based on fire activity, weather, fuel conditions, and resource availability. Learn more about preparedness levels here: https://www.nifc.gov/fire-information

📸Photo on the Cottonwood Fire, Utah.

06/28/2026

Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families.

A tragic day for our nation's wildland fire community.

06/26/2026

Be ready, this will be a crazy day in Utah,

🚨 THIS IS EXTREMELY RARE 🚨

For the first time in National Weather Service Salt Lake City history, a Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) Red Flag Warning has been issued.

🔥 Friday from 9 AM to Midnight, dangerous fire weather is expected across parts of central and southern Utah, including the Cottonwood Fire.

Wind gusts of 40-50+ mph, combined with hot temperatures and extremely dry air, could cause explosive wildfire growth. Any new fire that starts could spread rapidly and become difficult to control.

🩷 Areas shaded in pink are under a Red Flag Warning.
🟣 Areas outlined in purple are under the rare PDS Red Flag Warning—the highest level of fire weather concern.

If you live in or near these areas:
❌ Do not use fireworks.
❌ Avoid anything that could create a spark.
❌ Be ready to act if conditions change.

This is not a routine Red Flag Warning. This is an exceptionally dangerous fire weather setup.