Wildfire Risk Intensifies From California to East Coast

Elevated wildfire danger is spreading across large parts of the U.S., from California to Georgia and the Midwest, driven by drought, high temperatures, gusty winds and low humidity. Two new wildfires were reported Oct. 4, 2025, in California — one in Madera County and the Lost Fire in Los Angeles County — both burning on private land with containment unknown and causes undetermined. Multiple jurisdictions have issued burn bans or advisories, including 15 counties in Texas’ Big Country and a New York statewide outdoor burn ban through Oct. 15 (with limited allowances for small contained cooking fires). State agencies and foresters, including Pennsylvania DCNR and Texas A&M Forest Service, note that most wildfires are human‑caused and urge people to avoid outdoor burning, keep water and tools nearby, fully extinguish fires and conserve water for firefighting. Forecasts of strong gusty winds, record‑warm temperatures, low humidity and harvest‑equipment ignition risk are expected to further elevate fire danger in Minnesota, Iowa, Georgia and elsewhere, and officials are urging residents to follow local bans and monitor advisories.