Wildfire Report
Daily Tech Reader - Wildfire Edition
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National Overview
Wildfire Report — National Overview
The U.S. remains at Preparedness Level 5, with 93 uncontained large fires burning across the country and 29,612 personnel assigned nationally, including 604 crews, 1,746 engines, and 189 helicopters. NIFC reports 3,964,100 acres burned on large fires. Year-to-date, firefighters have responded to more than 48,400 wildfires burning over 6.5 million acres, 155% of the ten-year average. The Northwest remains the dominant story nationally, with 45 uncontained large fires across Washington and Oregon.
An international contingent from Australia and New Zealand — one 15-member incident management team and 59 fireline management personnel — remains assigned to large fires in the Northwest. Two hundred forty soldiers from the 7th Infantry Division's 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, are deployed in support of wildland fire operations on the Modrite fire. An Incident Management Organization is assigned to support the military contingent. MAFFS C-130 airtankers from the 302nd Airlift Wing (Air Force Reserve) and 146th Airlift Wing (California Air National Guard) remain staged at Klamath Falls and Redding.
Southerly winds up to 35 mph, unrelenting extreme heat, and 15–30% relative humidity will create elevated to locally critical fire conditions in the southern Plains this afternoon. Very hot, dry, and moderately breezy conditions will expand across the Lower Mississippi River Valley, northern Gulf Coast, Florida, and the southeast Atlantic coast. Highest confidence in dry lightning is expected from northwest California and the southern Cascades east across Oregon into far western Idaho. Isolated to scattered mixed wet/dry thunderstorms will impact the rest of the Northwest, northern California, northwest Nevada, Idaho, and far western Montana. Wetter thunderstorms will be scattered in the central and southern Great Basin, western Montana, much of Wyoming, Colorado, and the Southwest. Relative humidity will continue to slowly moderate in the West, with minima of 15–35% for most areas and near or below-normal temperatures. Alaska's eastern Interior will remain very warm and mostly dry with isolated thunderstorms.
Washington
Washington continues to carry more than 20 active large incidents, with several drawing the bulk of resources in Okanogan, Chelan, Ferry, and Stevens counties and in the Spokane area.
The Little Giant fire in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has grown to 128,085 acres — up 597 acres — and remains only 7% contained, managed by CIMT (NW Team 12); active fire behavior continues with flanking, backing, and group torching, with numerous structures and critical infrastructure threatened and evacuations in effect.
The Sinlahekin fire, one mile west of Tonasket, stands at 151,850 acres at 42% containment following a reduction in acreage due to more accurate mapping; precipitation fell over the fire area yesterday and a transfer of command from CIMT (Cal Fire Team 4) to CIMT (Cal Fire Team 5) will occur tomorrow, with minimal fire behavior of backing, creeping, and smoldering and evacuations in effect.
The Kaiser Canyon fire in the Colville Agency stands at 138,272 acres and 81% containment; precipitation fell over the fire area yesterday and a transfer of command from CIMT (AK Team 2) to CIMT (NW Team 2) will occur tomorrow, with moderate flanking, creeping, and short-range spotting and evacuations in effect.
The Modrite fire in the Northeast Region stands at 57,639 acres and 80% containment under CIMT (NW Team 3), which is also managing the Bradeen Hill and Hudspeth incidents; precipitation fell over all three fire areas yesterday and acreage was reduced due to more accurate mapping. The Bradeen Hill fire near Colville is at 4,417 acres and 92% contained; Hudspeth, three miles southeast of Hunters, stands at 6,726 acres and 88% contained. Evacuations remain in effect for all three fires.
The Three Queens fire near Snoqualmie Pass has grown to 3,534 acres and remains uncontained, with CIMT (NW Team 13) — also managing the Grand Park 2 incident on Mount Rainier — reporting active uphill runs, group torching, and short-range spotting and evacuations in effect. Grand Park 2 stands at 167 acres with precipitation having fallen over the fire area yesterday.
The Ptarmigan fire in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, managed by NIMO Team 3, remains at 24,057 acres and 13% containment, with moderate flanking, backing, and torching and structures threatened.
Additional incidents in and around the Spokane area — Old Trails, Autumn Lane, and Fairview — are all at 97% containment with minimal smoldering fire behavior.
The Luna fire in North Cascades National Park stands at 3,900 acres and zero containment, with active flanking, backing, and group torching and structures and energy infrastructure threatened. Border 2, also in North Cascades, has grown to 14,336 acres and remains only 2% contained with active backing, flanking, and single tree torching.
- Spokane — sunny, high 82°F, low 54°F; smoke and haze, minimal fire behavior near the Spokane-area incidents
- Wenatchee — smoke in the region from Little Giant and Ptarmigan activity
Oregon
Oregon continues to lead all states with more than 20 active large incidents and a cumulative large-fire footprint well into the millions of acres.
The Big Grass fire in the Vale District, managed by CIMT (NW Team 10), has grown to 581,325 acres — up 1,964 acres — and containment has improved to 54%, with moderate flanking, creeping, and smoldering and numerous structures and critical infrastructure threatened and evacuations in effect.
The Rowe Creek Complex in the Prineville District stands at 373,777 acres and 81% containment; a transfer of command from CIMT (SW Team 2) to CIMT (ODF Team 2) will occur tomorrow, with moderate flanking, backing, and single tree torching and numerous residences and communication infrastructure threatened.
The Coleman Creek fire in the Burns District is at 308,721 acres and 90% contained, now showing only minimal smoldering. The Second Flat fire in the Burns District stands at 105,501 acres and 90% contained, with a transfer of command back to the local unit occurring today.
The Wrights Spring fire in the Fremont-Winema National Forest, managed by CIMT (NW Team 8), has grown to 53,061 acres at 6% containment, with active fire behavior continuing including crowning, running, and spotting; numerous structures and critical infrastructure are threatened and evacuations are in effect two miles west of Sprague River.
The Grasshopper fire on the Mt. Hood National Forest has grown to 85,114 acres at 20% containment under CIMT (SA Team 2), which is also managing the Austin incident now at 1,800 acres and zero containment; Grasshopper is exhibiting active running, flanking, and wind-driven runs with numerous residences and critical infrastructure threatened, while Austin shows running, single tree torching, and spotting with structures and communication infrastructure threatened.
The Hagen fire in the Umatilla National Forest has grown to 54,484 acres at 11% containment, with the Paradise fire — eighteen miles east of Milton-Freewater — also active at 4,433 acres and zero containment on the same forest; both fires show active running, torching, and spotting and have residences and critical infrastructure threatened.
The new Fielder Mtn fire, one mile west of Rogue River, has reached 400 acres at zero containment with CIMT (ODF Team 1) assigned; active torching, short-range spotting, and uphill runs continue with numerous residences and communication infrastructure threatened and evacuations in effect.
The 0587 Shingle fire in the Fossil Unit stands at 73,179 acres at 82% containment with moderate uphill runs, creeping, and smoldering.
- Pendleton — smoke conditions, high 87°F, low 55°F
- Medford — thunderstorms today, high 91°F, low 58°F; smoke from surrounding incidents
- Portland — smoke conditions, high 84°F, low 59°F
California
California reports active large incidents in both the Northern and Southern California GACCs.
The Timber fire in the Los Padres National Forest, near Big Sur, has grown to 4,445 acres — up 671 acres — and remains only 7% contained, with CIMT (Cal Fire Team 1) assigned; moderate fire behavior continues with flanking, uphill runs, and isolated torching, with numerous residences and critical infrastructure threatened and evacuations in effect.
The MP18 fire near Hoopa in the Northern California GACC has grown to 4,605 acres and remains only 5% contained, continuing to exhibit active fire behavior including short crown runs, uphill runs, and spotting, with numerous structures and communication infrastructure threatened.
The Plains fire in San Luis Obispo County reached 100% containment at 2,588 acres.
- Medford, OR / southern Oregon border — thunderstorms today, high 91°F, low 58°F; smoke impacts from regional fires
- Fresno — sunny, high 90°F, low 63°F
- Sacramento — partly cloudy, high 81°F, low 57°F
Idaho
Idaho carries active incidents across the Boise, Great Basin, and Northern Rockies GACCs.
The Tartar fire in the Boise District remains the largest Idaho incident at 158,027 acres and 98% containment, now showing only minimal smoldering and creeping.
The new MM81 HWY55 fire, six miles west of Garden Valley, has reached 330 acres at zero containment with moderate flanking, backing, and uphill runs and structures threatened.
The Doublesprings fire in the Salmon-Challis National Forest stands at 1,696 acres and 5% containment, with precipitation having fallen over the fire area yesterday and minimal creeping and smoldering continuing.
The Lake fire in the Payette National Forest stands at 161 acres and 40% containment following a reduction in acreage due to more accurate mapping, with minimal smoldering and numerous structures threatened.
The Upper Smith fire in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest is at 3,600 acres and 35% containment, with moderate flanking, torching, and creeping and structures and energy infrastructure threatened; precipitation fell over the fire area yesterday.
The Moose Mountain fire in the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest has grown to 2,243 acres at 7% containment, with moderate uphill runs, spotting, and torching and structures threatened.
- Boise — sunny, high 87°F, low 62°F; thunderstorms forecast Saturday
- Pocatello — showers, high 75°F, low 46°F
Montana
Montana reports more than ten active large incidents across the Northern Rockies GACC.
The Sand Creek fire in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest has grown to 27,736 acres — up 160 acres — and remains at zero containment, with moderate fire behavior including crowning, flanking, and group torching and numerous structures and communication infrastructure threatened and evacuations in effect; CIMT (NR Team 3) is managing the incident alongside the Bobcat Lakes fire. Precipitation fell over the fire area yesterday.
The Bobcat Lakes fire, also in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge, has grown to 9,680 acres at 6% containment, with active short crown runs, uphill runs, and wind-driven runs and structures threatened.
The Silvertip fire in the Flathead National Forest remains at 6,681 acres and zero containment, with minimal creeping and backing and structures threatened; precipitation fell over the fire area yesterday.
The Skillet fire on the Flathead National Forest, managed by CIMT (GB Team 7), has decreased to 3,363 acres at 47% containment following precipitation yesterday; minimal backing, smoldering, and creeping continue with railroad infrastructure threatened.
The Moose fire in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge has grown to 5,678 acres with zero containment, exhibiting active backing, group torching, and short-range spotting, with residences threatened and evacuations in effect.
The Black Bear fire in the Bitterroot National Forest stands at 2,145 acres at 20% containment, with moderate backing and creeping and structures threatened.
- Missoula — showers, high 76°F, low 47°F
- Great Falls — showers, high 66°F, low 50°F
- Billings — thunderstorms, high 73°F, low 58°F
Wyoming
Wyoming's large-fire footprint is centered on the Bridger-Teton and Wind River-Bighorn Basin districts.
The Bare fire in the Bridger-Teton National Forest stands at 370 acres and 37% containment, with minimal creeping and smoldering; structures and energy infrastructure remain threatened.
The Weiser Knoll fire in the Wind River/Bighorn Basin District stands at 16,531 acres and 95% containment, with minimal smoldering behavior and residences threatened.
Wetter thunderstorms are forecast across much of Wyoming, providing some modest relief, though outflow winds can produce sudden and erratic conditions on active incidents.
- Casper — mostly cloudy, high 82°F, low 55°F; isolated storm risk
- Cheyenne — thunderstorms, high 81°F, low 55°F
Nevada
Nevada carries several active large incidents, with the Bug and Stallion fires continuing to be the most significant.
The Bug fire in the Carson City District has grown to 88,422 acres — up 17,665 acres — and remains only 31% contained, with active fire behavior including wind-driven runs, running, and spotting; numerous structures and critical infrastructure are threatened and CIMT (SW Team 1) is assigned alongside the Stallion fire. The Stallion fire, ten miles west of Nixon, has grown to 40,689 acres — up 6,958 acres — and stands at 44% containment, with active wind-driven runs, running, and spotting and critical infrastructure threatened.
The New Pass fire in the Carson City District stands at 37,899 acres and 100% containment.
The Mouse Meadow fire at Nellis Air Force Base holds at 52,000 acres and 80% containment with minimal creeping and smoldering.
The Ward fire in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest near Ely holds at 8,683 acres and 95% containment.
- Las Vegas — showers today, high 93°F, low 77°F; thunderstorms Saturday
- Reno — thunderstorms, high 83°F, low 54°F
Utah
Utah's fire situation remains serious, with critical conditions persisting across the region.
The Widemouth 2 fire in the Fishlake National Forest holds at 129,574 acres and 65% containment, managed by CIMT (GB Team 2); precipitation fell over the fire area yesterday and fire behavior has moderated to minimal creeping, torching, and smoldering, though numerous structures and critical infrastructure remain threatened and evacuations are in effect.
The Rocky Canyon fire near Henefer stands at 15,662 acres at 40% containment, with moderate creeping, single tree torching, and smoldering and numerous residences threatened.
The Black Canyon fire in the Manti-La Sal National Forest stands at 3,549 acres and 26% containment, with moderate flanking, creeping, and isolated torching and residences and energy infrastructure threatened; precipitation fell over the fire area yesterday and evacuations are in effect.
- Salt Lake City — thunderstorms, high 80°F, low 60°F; sunny Saturday
Colorado
Colorado has active large incidents across multiple districts, with precipitation having fallen yesterday over both the Elk and Gold Mountain fires in the Grand Mesa complex.
The Aspen Acres fire in Custer County remains the largest at 102,004 acres and 72% containment, with minimal backing, creeping, and single tree torching and communication infrastructure threatened.
The Gold Mountain fire, two miles north of Ouray, holds at 39,674 acres at 87% containment, with moderate flanking, backing, and creeping and energy infrastructure threatened; the Elk fire, seven miles northwest of Lake City, is at 7,374 acres and 35% containment with similar active behavior and numerous structures threatened and evacuations in effect. Both received precipitation yesterday and are managed by CIMT (RM Team 2).
The Willow fire near Leadville stands at 7,534 acres and 67% containment with minimal fire behavior.
The Post fire in Las Animas County has grown to 4,205 acres — up 1,778 acres — at 25% containment with active fire behavior.
The new Sheep Pen fire in Las Animas County has sparked at 712 acres and 30% containment with active creeping and isolated torching.
The 310 fire in Garfield County stands at 603 acres and 76% containment with no new information.
Scattered thunderstorms are forecast today for much of Colorado, with generally wetter storm cores.
- Denver — showers, high 83°F, low 57°F
- Colorado Springs — thunderstorms, high 84°F, low 58°F
- Grand Junction — thunderstorms, high 84°F, low 62°F
New Mexico
New Mexico shows active incidents across multiple counties.
The Frijoles fire in the Santa Fe National Forest has grown to 8,197 acres — up 403 acres — and remains at zero containment, with CIMT (CA Team 8) assigned; the fire is burning in timber and brush three miles east of Cundiyo with active short crown runs, running, and group torching and numerous residences and communication infrastructure threatened, with evacuations, area, road, and trail closures in effect.
The Johnson fire in the Gila National Forest stands at 450 acres and zero containment, with minimal creeping and smoldering and structures threatened.
- Santa Fe — sunny, high 88°F, low 58°F; evacuations ongoing north of the city
- Albuquerque — sunny, high 91°F, low 65°F
Southern Plains
Southerly winds up to 35 mph, unrelenting extreme heat, and 15–30% relative humidity will create elevated to locally critical fire conditions across the southern Plains this afternoon, with isolated mixed wet/dry thunderstorms possible in the High Plains including the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles.
In the Southern Area, four new large incidents have been reported: the Pump Station fire two miles southwest of Wesley, Oklahoma (109 acres, 25% contained, active running and spotting); the Clearwater fire in Virginia (250 acres, 40% contained, active fire behavior); the Grass Burr fire two miles north of Paducah, Texas (1,400 acres, 85% contained, minimal wind-driven runs); and the State Line fire two miles northeast of Oakland, Louisiana (152 acres, 75% contained, active wind-driven runs and isolated torching).
- Dallas–Fort Worth — sunny, high 101°F, low 80°F; sunny again Saturday
- Oklahoma City — sunny, high 103°F, low 78°F
- Wichita — partly cloudy, high 106°F, low 78°F
- Tulsa — sunny, high 104°F, low 82°F
- Wichita Falls — sunny, high 105°F, low 76°F
- Abilene — sunny, high 101°F, low 77°F
- Amarillo — partly cloudy, high 101°F, low 72°F
- Lubbock — sunny, high 100°F, low 72°F
Southeast and Gulf Coast
Very hot, dry, and moderately breezy conditions are expanding across the Lower Mississippi River Valley, northern Gulf Coast, Florida, and the southeast Atlantic coast.
- Atlanta — thunderstorms, high 94°F, low 77°F
- Birmingham — thunderstorms, high 98°F, low 77°F
- Nashville — partly cloudy, high 97°F, low 76°F
- Memphis — sunny, high 102°F, low 80°F
- New Orleans — sunny, high 97°F, low 78°F
- Baton Rouge — sunny, high 98°F, low 76°F
- Houston — thunderstorms, high 96°F, low 80°F
- Jackson, MS — sunny, high 100°F, low 75°F
- Jacksonville — showers, high 95°F, low 76°F
- Miami Beach — sunny, high 93°F, low 82°F
- Orlando — thunderstorms, high 97°F, low 77°F
- Tampa — showers, high 94°F, low 79°F
- Charlotte — very hot, high 98°F, low 76°F
Alaska
Alaska remains at Preparedness Level 1 with one uncontained large fire.
The Tatlanika fire, 23 miles east of Clear in the Fairbanks Area, stands at 31,000 acres and 15% containment, managed by the Alaska DOF; active fire behavior with torching, running, and smoldering continues. Alaska's eastern Interior will remain very warm and mostly dry with isolated thunderstorms.
- Anchorage — partly cloudy, high 72°F, low 56°F
- Fairbanks — information not available in today's NWS summary
Sources: NIFC/NICC Incident Management Situation Report (Aug 14, 2026), NIFC Fire Information, WFIGS, National Weather Service Selected Cities Summary (Aug 14, 2026)