Cottonwood Fire becomes nation's largest at 92,000 acres as Utah holds emergency; dangerous heat builds across central and eastern U.S.

NIFC raises national wildfire status to PL 4 after three firefighters die in Colorado-Utah burnover; dangerous heat wave builds across central and eastern U.S.

Today’s brief leads with wildfire: NIFC raises the national preparedness level to PL 4 as 52 large fires burn across nine states, and the fire community mourns three federal firefighters killed in a burnover on the Knowles Fire along the Colorado-Utah border. A long-duration, dangerous heat wave is building across the central and eastern United States ahead of the July 4 weekend, with Connecticut and New York activating heat operations. We also cover the Pocket Fire’s rapid growth and evacuation readiness near Sedona, an eastern Pacific system the National Hurricane Center is watching for development, and a magnitude 5.5 earthquake offshore of Oregon. EM Morning Brief is your concise daily update on national and state-by-state emergency management news. Produced by Sitch Radio, an EOC Voices podcast. KEY TAKEAWAYS • National wildfire status: NIFC is at Preparedness Level 4 with 52 large fires across nine states (about 465,189 acres) and extremely critical fire weather in the Four Corners region. • Firefighter fatalities: Three federal wildland firefighters died and two were injured in a June 27 burnover on the Knowles Fire at the Colorado-Utah border; the merged Snyder Fire remains a priority incident with evacuation warnings in Mesa County, Colorado. • Extreme heat: A dangerous heat wave is expanding across the central and eastern U.S., peaking around July 3 and 4; Connecticut activated its Extreme Hot Weather Protocol and New York issued heat and air-quality guidance. • Arizona — Pocket Fire: Rapid growth north of Sedona has pushed Kachina Village, Forest Highlands, and Oak Creek Canyon into SET evacuation status with road closures and smoke impacts in Flagstaff. • Tropics and seismic: The National Hurricane Center gives an eastern Pacific wave a medium chance of becoming a tropical depression by midweek; a magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck offshore Oregon with a USGS green alert and no expected damage. SPONSORS The NIMS Store - https://thenimsstore.com/ [https://thenimsstore.com/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] SOURCES WILDFIRE (NATIONAL) • NIFC National Fire News — PL 4 declaration, large-fire totals, fire weather [https://www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • NIFC Incident Management Situation Report (IMSR) [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • DOI — Burnover incident on western Colorado wildfire results in firefighter fatalities [https://www.doi.gov/wildlandfireservice/burnover-incident-western-colorado-wildfire-results-federal-wildland?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • DOI — Identities released of three firefighters who died responding to the Knowles Fire [https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/identities-released-three-firefighters-who-died-responding-knowles-fire-colorado?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • NPR — 3 firefighters killed on Colorado-Utah border as wildfires intensify [https://www.npr.org/2026/06/28/g-s1-130737/wildfires-utah-colorado-firefighter-deaths-snyder?utm_source=em-morning-brief] EXTREME HEAT • NWS — Extreme heat forecasts and safety [https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • Governor of Connecticut — Extreme Hot Weather Protocol activation [https://portal.ct.gov/governor/news/press-releases/2026/06-2026/governor-lamont-activates-extreme-hot-weather-protocol-from-tuesday-through-sunday?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • Governor of New York — Hochul urges New Yorkers to prepare for extreme heat [https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-urges-new-yorkers-prepare-multiple-days-extreme-heat-2?utm_source=em-morning-brief] TROPICAL AND SEISMIC • National Hurricane Center — Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook [https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/gtwo.php?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • USGS — Significant earthquakes, 2026 [https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/browse/significant.php?utm_source=em-morning-brief] ARIZONA • InciWeb — Pocket Fire, Coconino National Forest [https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/azcof-pocket-fire?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • Arizona Emergency Information Network — Red flag conditions impact the Pocket Fire area [https://ein.az.gov/red-flag-conditions-impact-pocket-fire-area-throughout-weekend?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • AZFamily — Residents pack belongings as Pocket Fire doubles in size [https://www.azfamily.com/2026/06/29/residents-pack-belongings-pocket-fire-northern-arizona-doubles-size/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] COLORADO • CBS News — 3 firefighters killed, 2 injured fighting wildfires near Colorado-Utah border [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/knowles-and-gore-fires-firefighters-killed-utah-colorado/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] OREGON • USGS — Latest earthquakes map [https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/map/?utm_source=em-morning-brief]

Cottonwood Fire becomes nation's largest at 92,000 acres as Utah holds emergency; dangerous heat builds across central and eastern U.S.

Today’s brief leads with the Western wildfire crisis, where the National Interagency Fire Center holds the nation at Preparedness Level 3 amid roughly 45 uncontained large fires and extremely critical fire weather across the southern Intermountain West. Utah carries the heaviest load, with the Cottonwood Fire now the nation’s largest active wildfire near 92,000 acres, the Iron and Cherry fires driving evacuations, and a statewide emergency and fireworks restrictions in effect. We also track a prolonged, dangerous heat episode building across the central and eastern United States ahead of the July Fourth holiday, severe storm and flash flood risks in the Plains and Mid-Atlantic, tropical monitoring in the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific, and state-level items including a Virginia boil water notice. EM Morning Brief is your concise daily update on national and state-by-state emergency management news. Produced by Sitch Radio, an EOC Voices podcast. KEY TAKEAWAYS • National wildfire posture: NIFC holds the country at Preparedness Level 3 with roughly 45 uncontained large fires; extremely critical fire weather grips northern Arizona, eastern Utah, western Colorado, and far northwestern New Mexico. • Utah leads the crisis: The Cottonwood Fire is the nation’s largest active wildfire near 92,000 acres at zero containment; the Iron Fire is about 40,800 acres and 38 percent contained; the Cherry Fire has grown past 30,000 acres and is forcing mandatory evacuations for Mammoth, Silver City, Eureka, and Tintic Junction. A statewide emergency and fireworks restrictions remain in effect through July 5. • Active evacuations elsewhere: Arizona’s Pocket Fire keeps Oak Creek Canyon under orders north of Sedona; California crews responded to a Butte County grass fire near Paradise, with Big Bear public safety power shutoffs in place. • Dangerous heat building: Tens of millions are under heat alerts; extreme heat warnings and advisories span the Upper Midwest (Minnesota), the Mid-South (Tennessee), and the Northeast (New York), with heat index values up to 105 to 110 degrees later this week. • Lifelines and water: A boil water notice is in effect for parts of Alleghany County, Virginia after a main break; Rocky Mountain Power issued public safety power shutoff watches and warnings for parts of central, southern, and eastern Utah. • Watch items: Slight risks for severe thunderstorms in the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest and for excessive rainfall in the Mid-Atlantic and Tennessee Valley; the National Hurricane Center monitors low to medium development chances in the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific, with no coastal warnings in effect. SPONSORS The NIMS Store - https://thenimsstore.com/ [https://thenimsstore.com/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] SOURCES NIFC AND NATIONAL FIRE ACTIVITY • NIFC Incident Management Situation Report: national preparedness level, fire counts, and incident details [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • NIFC National Fire News: current national wildfire overview [https://www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn?utm_source=em-morning-brief] HEAT • NWS Weather Prediction Center HeatRisk: national heat hazard outlook [https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/heatrisk/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • NBC News: dangerous heat wave ahead of July Fourth, with historic highs possible [https://www.nbcnews.com/weather/heat/heat-wave-ahead-of-july-fourth-rcna352127?utm_source=em-morning-brief] SEVERE WEATHER AND TROPICAL • NWS Storm Prediction Center Day 2 Convective Outlook: severe thunderstorm risk areas [https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day2otlk.html?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • NHC Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook: Atlantic and Eastern Pacific development chances [https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/gtwo.php?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • NHC Atlantic Tropical Weather Discussion: current basin discussion [https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIATWDAT.shtml?utm_source=em-morning-brief] UTAH • CBS News and AP: Utah declares emergency, limits fireworks as crews battle the largest U.S. wildfire [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/utah-cottonwood-wildfire-emergency-fireworks/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • ABC4: Cottonwood Fire update and acreage [https://www.abc4.com/utah-weather/wildfire/cottonwood-fire-utah-update/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • KUTV: Iron Fire growth and containment [https://kutv.com/news/wildfire/iron-fire-expands-over-37000-acres-firefighters-reach-17-containment?utm_source=em-morning-brief] ARIZONA • NIFC Incident Management Situation Report: Pocket and Sycamore fire details [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] CALIFORNIA • CBS News Los Angeles: Big Bear public safety power shutoffs amid wildfire risk [https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/big-bear-public-power-safety-shutoffs-wildfire-risk-bear-valley-electric-socal-edison/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • CBS News Sacramento: Butte County grass fire prompts evacuation activity near Paradise [https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/butte-county-pentz-fire-evacuations-cal-fire/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] COLORADO • CBS News Colorado: Dry Creek Fire reaches 90 percent containment south of Rifle [https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/colorado-90-containment-dry-creek-fire-rifle/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] FLORIDA, IDAHO, NORTH CAROLINA, WASHINGTON, WYOMING, NEVADA, NEW MEXICO, ALASKA • NIFC Incident Management Situation Report: state-by-state large incident details [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] MINNESOTA • FOX 9 Minneapolis: extreme heat warning issued for June 29, 2026 [https://www.fox9.com/weather/minnesota-weather-extreme-heat-warning-for-june-29-2026?utm_source=em-morning-brief] NEW YORK • NBC News: heat wave ahead of July Fourth, Northeast heat watch detail [https://www.nbcnews.com/weather/heat/heat-wave-ahead-of-july-fourth-rcna352127?utm_source=em-morning-brief] TENNESSEE • NewsChannel 5 Nashville: dangerous heat moving into the Mid-South [https://www.newschannel5.com/weather/june-28-2026-dangerous-heat-moving-into-the-mid-south?utm_source=em-morning-brief] VIRGINIA • WDBJ7: new boil water notice issued for Alleghany County neighborhoods [https://www.wdbj7.com/2026/06/28/new-boil-water-notice-issued-some-covington-neighborhoods/?utm_source=em-morning-brief]

Utah's Cottonwood Fire tops 71,000 acres at zero containment; Extremely Critical fire weather hits Utah, Arizona, and Nevada; CISA adds two actively exploited vulnerabilities

Today’s brief leads with escalating Western wildfire activity: Utah’s Cottonwood Fire is the nation’s largest at roughly 71,000 acres with zero containment and active evacuations, the Iron Fire keeps Eureka under a Level 3 order, and the Storm Prediction Center posts an Extremely Critical fire weather outlook for parts of Utah, Arizona, and Nevada. We also cover flash flooding and flood watches from Kansas into Missouri and Oklahoma, building dangerous heat across the southern and central U.S., CISA’s addition of two actively exploited vulnerabilities to its catalog, and an FDA Class I recall of Medline surgical kits. EM Morning Brief is your concise daily update on national and state-by-state emergency management news. Produced by Sitch Radio, an EOC Voices podcast. KEY TAKEAWAYS • Western wildfire surge: NIFC holds the nation at Preparedness Level 3 with 37 large uncontained fires; Utah’s Cottonwood Fire (about 71,000 acres, 0 percent contained) leads the country with extreme behavior and active evacuations. • Extremely Critical fire weather: SPC flags parts of central and southwestern Utah, northwest Arizona, and extreme southeastern Nevada for today, with 25 to 35 mph winds and 5 to 15 percent humidity. • Utah evacuations: Level 3 “Go” orders remain for several Beaver-area communities (Cottonwood Fire) and for the Town of Eureka (Iron Fire, about 40,445 acres, 26 percent contained). • Central U.S. flooding: Flood warnings and watches span Kansas, Missouri, and northeastern Oklahoma, with road closures in western Kansas and a flash flood threat into southwestern Missouri. • Building heat: Dangerous heat expands across the southern and central U.S. this weekend and pushes east next week, with widespread 90s. • CISA KEV additions: Two actively exploited vulnerabilities added June 25, CVE-2026-12569 (PTC Windchill/FlexPLM) and CVE-2026-20230 (Cisco Unified CM SSRF); federal agencies must remediate. • FDA Class I recall: Medline recalls more than 6,500 cardiovascular procedure kits and more than 500 general surgery trays over anesthetic quality issues, the FDA’s most serious recall category. SPONSORS The NIMS Store - https://thenimsstore.com/ [https://thenimsstore.com/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] SOURCES WILDFIRE (NATIONAL) • NIFC National Fire News [https://www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn?utm_source=em-morning-brief]: national wildfire summary, large fire counts, personnel, and year to date acres • NIFC Incident Management Situation Report [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief]: daily situation report listing large fires by state, acreage, and containment FIRE WEATHER AND SEVERE WEATHER • NOAA Storm Prediction Center Day 1 Outlook [https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day1otlk.html?utm_source=em-morning-brief]: Extremely Critical fire weather outlook for parts of Utah, Arizona, and Nevada • NWS Weather Prediction Center [https://www.noaa.gov/weather-prediction-center?utm_source=em-morning-brief]: central U.S. flash flooding and heat outlook • NWS Active Alerts [https://www.weather.gov/alerts?utm_source=em-morning-brief]: active flood watches, warnings, and heat alerts nationwide CISA • CISA Adds Two Known Exploited Vulnerabilities to Catalog [https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/alerts/2026/06/25/cisa-adds-two-known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?utm_source=em-morning-brief]: June 25 alert adding CVE-2026-12569 and CVE-2026-20230 • CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog [https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?utm_source=em-morning-brief]: the KEV catalog of record FDA • FDA Recalls, Market Withdrawals, and Safety Alerts [https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts?utm_source=em-morning-brief]: FDA recall listing • Medline cardiovascular kit recall report [https://cardiovascularbusiness.com/topics/clinical/cardiac-surgery/thousands-heart-surgery-kits-recalled-due-fda-quality-concerns?utm_source=em-morning-brief]: coverage of the June 25 Class I recall of surgical kits ARIZONA • AZ Emergency Information Network: Pocket Fire SET status [https://ein.az.gov/pocket-fire-update-oak-creek-canyon-decreased-set-status?utm_source=em-morning-brief]: Oak Creek Canyon evacuation reduced from GO to SET • Coconino National Forest: Pocket Fire evacuations [https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/coconino/newsroom/releases/evacuations-oak-creek-canyon-ordered-due-pocket-fire-north-sedona?utm_source=em-morning-brief]: Forest Service release on Oak Creek Canyon orders and closures • Sedona Red Rock News: Pocket Fire grows to 1,187 acres [https://www.redrocknews.com/2026/06/25/pocket-fire-seven-miles-north-of-sedona-grows-to-1187-acres-as-seen-in-photos-videos-and-maps/?utm_source=em-morning-brief]: acreage and personnel update COLORADO • Colorado Public Radio: Dry Creek Fire evacuations lifted [https://www.cpr.org/2026/06/25/evacuation-orders-lifted-dry-creek-fire/?utm_source=em-morning-brief]: containment and evacuation status near Rifle • CBS Colorado: Mesa County evacuation notice lifted [https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/wildfire-evacuations-mesa-county-colorado/?utm_source=em-morning-brief]: Mesa County wildfire evacuation update KANSAS • Kansas Severe Flood Warning (GovOneStop / NWS) [https://www.govonestop.com/nws/kansas-severe-flood-warning-effective-06252026-0618?utm_source=em-morning-brief]: flood warning for southwest and west central Kansas counties • KAKE: Flash flooding hits Kansas counties [https://www.kake.com/home/flash-flooding-hits-kansas-counties-after-heavy-rainstorm/article_8ecc4769-4458-48f5-9cb2-685da1ae21af.html?utm_source=em-morning-brief]: road closures and flooding impacts OKLAHOMA • NWS Tulsa [https://www.weather.gov/tsa/?utm_source=em-morning-brief]: Flood Watch for northeastern Oklahoma and rainfall outlook UTAH • ABC4: Governor Cox on the Cottonwood Fire [https://www.abc4.com/utah-weather/wildfire/cottonwood-fire-beaver-utah/?utm_source=em-morning-brief]: Cottonwood Fire acreage, containment, and evacuation status • ABC4: Cottonwood Fire burns over 70,000 acres [https://www.abc4.com/utah-weather/wildfire/cottonwood-fire-burns-acres-contained/?utm_source=em-morning-brief]: updated acreage and 0 percent containment • Gephardt Daily: Iron Fire update [https://gephardtdaily.com/local/iron-fire-tops-37k-acres-now-17-contained-evacuations-remain-in-place/?utm_source=em-morning-brief]: Iron Fire acreage, containment, and Eureka evacuations WILDFIRES BY STATE (NATIONAL SITUATION REPORT) • NIFC Incident Management Situation Report [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief]: South Fork Fire (Nebraska), Bear Fire (New Mexico), and Washington fires NEVADA • The Watchers: Extremely Critical fire weather outlook [https://watchers.news/2026/06/25/extremely-critical-fire-weather-outlook-issued-for-parts-of-utah-arizona-and-nevada/?utm_source=em-morning-brief]: fire weather risk for parts of Utah, Arizona, and Nevada

Western fire siege holds the nation at Preparedness Level 3; Utah's Iron Fire keeps Eureka evacuated; New Mexico's McCauley Springs and Canyon Venado fires drive evacuations and road closures

Today’s brief leads with the Western wildfire siege, with NIFC holding the country at Preparedness Level 3 amid Red Flag and critical fire weather across the Intermountain West, the Four Corners, and Interior Alaska, plus building heat across the South and West. In Utah, the Iron Fire near Eureka tops 37,000 acres with mandatory evacuations still in place. In New Mexico, the McCauley Springs Fire forces evacuations and a highway closure in the Jemez while the Canyon Venado Fire briefly shut eastbound I-40. We cover California’s Red Flag prepositioning and a Garden Grove hazmat evacuation, Arizona’s Pocket Fire near Sedona, Florida boil water notices, the central U.S. severe weather threat, and CISA’s addition of four known exploited vulnerabilities. EM Morning Brief is your concise daily update on national and state-by-state emergency management news. Produced by Sitch Radio, an EOC Voices podcast. KEY TAKEAWAYS • National wildfire posture: NIFC holds the U.S. at Preparedness Level 3 with 32 large uncontained fires and more than 6,200 personnel committed; YTD acres burned run above the ten-year average. • Fire weather and heat: Red Flag and critical fire weather span the Intermountain West, Four Corners, and Interior Alaska, with dangerous heat building across the South and West into the weekend. • Utah, Iron Fire: Now 37,172 acres at 17 percent containment; mandatory evacuations remain for Eureka and Chimney Rock Pass, with residents expected to return Thursday. • New Mexico, two active fires: McCauley Springs Fire (~150 acres, 0 percent) drives Jemez evacuations, an electric shutoff, and a Highway 4 closure; the Canyon Venado Fire (~852 acres, 0 percent) showed extreme behavior and briefly closed eastbound I-40, now reopened. • California, prepositioning and hazmat: Cal OES prepositions engines, tenders, a helicopter, and 100-plus personnel across six Sacramento Valley counties; Garden Grove reissues precautionary evacuations for a hazmat incident. • Arizona, Pocket Fire: Oak Creek Canyon downgraded from GO to SET north of Sedona, with restricted resident-only access. • Florida, water lifelines: Precautionary boil water notices in Deltona (Volusia County) and Bradenton (Manatee County) after water-main breaks. • Cyber, CISA KEV: Four vulnerabilities added June 23 (Lantronix EDS5000 and three Ubiquiti UniFi OS flaws); organizations should prioritize remediation. • Severe weather: Damaging winds, isolated tornadoes, large hail, and flooding possible across the central U.S. and Mid-Atlantic into the Mid-South. SPONSORS The NIMS Store - https://thenimsstore.com/ [https://thenimsstore.com/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] SOURCES NIFC / WILDFIRE (NATIONAL) • NIFC National Fire News: daily large-fire counts, new starts, personnel, and YTD totals [https://www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • NIFC Incident Management Situation Report, June 23, 2026 (0730 MDT) [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] NWS / WEATHER • National Weather Service: national forecast, severe weather, heat, and fire weather [https://www.weather.gov/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • NWS Weather Prediction Center [https://www.noaa.gov/weather-prediction-center?utm_source=em-morning-brief] NHC / TROPICS • National Hurricane Center: Atlantic and Eastern Pacific tropical outlooks [https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] CISA • CISA Adds Four Known Exploited Vulnerabilities to Catalog, June 23, 2026 [https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/alerts/2026/06/23/cisa-adds-four-known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog [https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?utm_source=em-morning-brief] DHS • DHS National Terrorism Advisory System [https://www.dhs.gov/national-terrorism-advisory-system?utm_source=em-morning-brief] ALASKA • Alaska Wildland Fire Information: Anderson evacuation and Interior fire starts [https://akfireinfo.com/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • Alaska’s News Source: Critical fire danger grips Alaska (June 23, 2026) [https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2026/06/23/critical-fire-danger-grips-alaska/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] ARIZONA • City of Sedona: Oak Creek Canyon evacuation status changes from GO to SET for the Pocket Fire (June 23, 2026) [https://www.sedonaaz.gov/Home/Components/News/News/6856/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • Arizona Emergency Information Network: Pocket Fire update, Oak Creek Canyon decreased to SET status [https://ein.az.gov/pocket-fire-update-oak-creek-canyon-decreased-set-status?utm_source=em-morning-brief] CALIFORNIA • Cal OES: Governor Newsom predeploys fire and rescue personnel to six Sacramento Valley counties ahead of Red Flag fire weather [https://www.news.caloes.ca.gov/governor-newsom-predeploys-fire-and-rescue-personnel-to-six-sacramento-valley-counties-in-advance-of-red-flag-fire-weather/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • City of Garden Grove: Hazardous Materials Incident [https://ggcity.org/hazmat-incident?utm_source=em-morning-brief] FLORIDA • Volusia County / City of Deltona: Precautionary boil water notice for Deltona utility customers [https://www.deltonafl.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/515?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • Manatee County: Precautionary boil water notice, June 23, 2026 (Bradenton) [https://www.mymanatee.org/connect/news-and-information/news-and-information/article-detail/utilities-water-division-blog/2026/06/23/precautionary-boil-water-notice-6-23-2026--4517-4539-26th-st.-w---2105-2215-cortez-rd.-w-in-bradenton?utm_source=em-morning-brief] NEW MEXICO • NM Fire Info: New fire start in Jemez Ranger District (McCauley Springs Fire) [https://nmfireinfo.com/2026/06/24/new-fire-start-in-jemez-ranger-district/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • Source New Mexico: McCauley Springs Fire prompts evacuation orders, electric shutoff [https://sourcenm.com/briefs/mccauley-springs-fire-near-jemez-springs-prompts-evacuation-orders-electric-shutoff/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • NM Fire Info: Canyon Venado Fire, Torrance County update [https://nmfireinfo.com/2026/06/24/canyon-venado-fire-torrance-county-update/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • Albuquerque Journal: Jemez Springs evacuations, Torrance County blaze impacts I-40 [https://www.abqjournal.com/news/new-mexico-wildfires-force-evacuations-threaten-structures/3069271?utm_source=em-morning-brief] UTAH • Gephardt Daily: Iron Fire tops 37K acres, now 17% contained, evacuations remain in place [https://gephardtdaily.com/local/iron-fire-tops-37k-acres-now-17-contained-evacuations-remain-in-place/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • KUTV: Iron Fire expands to over 37,000 acres, reaches 17% containment [https://kutv.com/news/wildfire/iron-fire-expands-over-37000-acres-firefighters-reach-17-containment?utm_source=em-morning-brief]

Utah's Iron and Cottonwood fires force evacuations as NIFC holds the nation at Preparedness Level 3

Western wildfires lead today’s brief, with Utah’s Iron Fire near Eureka and the Cottonwood Fire near Beaver each pushing past 30,000 acres and forcing evacuations, while NIFC keeps the country at Preparedness Level 3 with 31 uncontained large fires. In Arizona, the Pocket Fire north of Sedona prompts a downgrade of Oak Creek Canyon from GO to SET, and Extreme Heat Warnings push toward 114 degrees. We also cover active fires in Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska, near-record heat across Florida and the Southern Plains, new FEMA flood mitigation funding for New England, and a minor central California earthquake. EM Morning Brief is your concise daily update on national and state-by-state emergency management news. Produced by Sitch Radio, an EOC Voices podcast. KEY TAKEAWAYS • NIFC Preparedness Level 3: 31 uncontained large fires and about 5,854 personnel are committed nationwide, with activity concentrated in the Great Basin, Southwest, Northwest, and Alaska. Year-to-date acres burned run at 158 percent of the ten-year average. • Utah, structure threat: The Iron Fire near Eureka (about 31,314 acres, 9 percent) and the Cottonwood Fire near Beaver (about 31,000 acres, 0 percent) both force mandatory evacuations and road closures; both are human-caused, and no homes have been lost on the Iron Fire. • Arizona, Pocket Fire: Oak Creek Canyon eased from GO to SET at 8 a.m. today; State Route 89A remains closed, and crews prepare indirect line ahead of a midweek wind shift with gusts near 45 mph. • Western and Southern heat: Dangerous, near-record heat covers parts of the West, the Southern Plains, and Florida through Friday, with Arizona Extreme Heat Warnings near 114 degrees and possible record highs from southern Colorado into New Mexico. • Other active fires: Nevada (Grapevine, Kane Springs), Oregon (Lytle), Washington (Garred Road eased to Level 1, Kartar), and Alaska (Starry, Bear) all show ongoing operational impact. • Federal assistance: FEMA announced more than 17 million dollars in hazard mitigation funding for New England states to reduce flood risk. • Quiet on other fronts: No new NTAS bulletins, no CISA KEV additions, no State Department travel advisory level changes, and no significant earthquakes in the last 24 hours. SPONSORS The NIMS Store - https://thenimsstore.com/ [https://thenimsstore.com/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] SOURCES NIFC AND NATIONAL FIRE • NIFC Incident Management Situation Report: June 23, 2026, 0730 MDT (PL 3, fire counts, acres, predictive discussion) [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • NIFC National Fire News: current large fire activity [https://www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn?utm_source=em-morning-brief] WEATHER AND HEAT • NWS Weather Prediction Center: national forecast and heat discussion [https://www.noaa.gov/weather-prediction-center?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • NWS HeatRisk: excessive heat outlook [https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/heatrisk/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] FEMA • FEMA Newsroom: hazard mitigation funding announcements [https://www.fema.gov/about/newsroom?utm_source=em-morning-brief] USGS • USGS Latest Earthquakes map [https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/map/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] ALASKA • NIFC IMSR: Alaska Area fire summary (Starry, Bear, Pogo, Kathul, Shaw) [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] ARIZONA • Arizona Emergency Information Network: Pocket Fire, Oak Creek Canyon reduced to SET [https://ein.az.gov/pocket-fire-update-oak-creek-canyon-decreased-set-status?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • Coconino National Forest: more resources arrive to battle Pocket Fire [https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/coconino/newsroom/releases/more-resources-arrive-battle-pocket-fire-north-sedona?utm_source=em-morning-brief] CALIFORNIA • USGS Latest Earthquakes map: M4.2 near Ridgemark, June 23 [https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/map/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] COLORADO • NIFC IMSR: predictive services discussion (record-heat potential, southern Colorado into New Mexico) [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] FLORIDA • NIFC IMSR: Southern Area fires and Florida near-record heat [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] IDAHO • NIFC IMSR: Northern Rockies Area (Shingle Creek) [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] NEBRASKA • NIFC IMSR: Rocky Mountain Area (South Fork) [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] NEVADA • NIFC IMSR: Great Basin Area (Grapevine, Kane Springs) [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] NEW MEXICO • NIFC IMSR: Southwest Area (Rio Fire) and Four Corners fire weather [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] NORTH CAROLINA • NIFC IMSR: Southern Area (Rose Bay Canal) and Carolinas fire weather [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] OREGON • NIFC IMSR: Northwest Area (Lytle Fire) [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] UTAH • Gephardt Daily: Iron Fire at 31K acres, 9 percent contained [https://gephardtdaily.com/local/iron-fire-at-31k-acres-9-contained/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • KSL: Cottonwood Fire east of Beaver, evacuations [https://www.ksl.com/article/51520572/hilo-area-east-of-beaver-county-evacuated-for-new-cottonwood-fire?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • NIFC IMSR: Great Basin Area (Iron, Cottonwood, Hastings, Sawmill, Bonneville) [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] WASHINGTON • Washington State Patrol: state fire mobilization authorized for the Garred Road Fire [https://wsp.wa.gov/state-fire-mobilization-authorized-for-the-garred-road-fire?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • Columbia Basin Herald: Garred Road Fire contained at 3,500 acres [https://columbiabasinherald.com/news/2026/jun/23/garred-road-fire-outside-coulee-city-contained-at-3500-acres/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • NIFC IMSR: Northwest Area (Garred Road, Kartar) [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief]