The National Fire Preparedness Level is being raised to its highest point, PL-5, effective at 5:30 a.m. on Thursday – the first time it’s hit that level since August of 2013. The decision to raise the level, which was made by the National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group, signifies “a high degree of wildfire activity, a major commitment of fire resources, and the probability that severe conditions will continue for at least a few days.” That highest level designation permits further assistance from the military and, if necessary, considering and requesting international resources.

“Wildfire activity has escalated in recent days after thunderstorms, many with little or no moisture, moved across parts of California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana, sparking hundreds of new fires,” the coordinating group reported. Aitor Bidaburu, the group’s chair, said, “Given the continuing hot and dry weather and the increase in fire activity in the western U.S., the decision to move to Preparedness Level 5 depicts the complexity that fire managers are encountering to assure that adequate firefighting resources are available for protection of life, property and our nation’s natural resources.” There’s more info here.