Wildfire Report
Daily Tech Reader - Wildfire Edition
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National Overview
National Overview
The U.S. is at Preparedness Level 5. Yesterday, 92 new fires were reported nationwide, including four new large fires. Firefighters are currently working to contain 80 uncontained large fires, with 28,710 personnel assigned to incidents nationwide. So far in 2026, firefighters have responded to 48,960 wildfires that have burned 7,270,038 acres across the United States.
An international contingent from Australia and New Zealand — three 15-member incident management teams and 196 fireline management personnel — remains assigned to support large fires in the Northwest and Great Basin geographic areas. Two hundred forty soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division based out of Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM) are deployed in support of wildland fire operations on the Modrite fire. One Large Airtanker and one Birddog from Manitoba, Canada have been deployed to Boise, ID. Two MAFFS C-130 airtankers and support personnel from the 302nd Airlift Wing (Air Force Reserve, CO) have been deployed to Klamath Falls, OR, and two MAFFS C-130 airtankers from the 146th Airlift Wing (CA Air National Guard) have been deployed to Redding, CA.
Across the western half of the US, subtle warming will ensue, especially across the Pacific Northwest, while a weak upper-level disturbance tracks through northern California during the afternoon. This feature will bring gusty winds and low relative humidity values over northeast California, northern Nevada, southeast Oregon, into southern Idaho. This disturbance could also trigger some thunderstorms, especially over eastern Idaho into western Montana. Strong high pressure will deliver another very hot day across the Southern Plains and southeast US.
Washington
The Northwest remains the nation's most active fire area, with 37 uncontained large fires, and several continue to draw the bulk of resources across the state.
The Little Giant fire in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest is located thirty miles northwest of Leavenworth, WA, exhibiting active fire behavior with flanking, backing, and group torching. Numerous structures and critical infrastructure are threatened, with evacuations and closures in effect.
The Sinlahekin fire, one mile west of Tonasket, WA, shows moderate fire behavior with backing, creeping, and isolated torching. Residences and critical infrastructure remain threatened.
The Modrite fire continues to be supported by military deployments, with 240 soldiers from JBLM assisting in wildland fire operations.
The Three Queens fire in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and the Grand Park 2 fire in Mount Rainier National Park are both showing moderate fire behavior with creeping and smoldering, threatening structures and prompting closures.
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Spokane — Mostly Cloudy, High 90, Low 59
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Seattle — Mostly Cloudy, High 79, Low 58
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Yakima — Sunny, High 93, Low 62
Oregon
Oregon currently leads the states with 21 reported large fires.
The Grasshopper fire on the Mt. Hood National Forest is ten miles east of Government Park, exhibiting active fire behavior with running, flanking, and wind-driven runs. The incident management team is also managing the Austin fire, which is showing active uphill runs.
The Paradise fire, eighteen miles east of Milton-Freewater, is active with running, torching, and smoldering. The same team is managing the Hagen fire, twenty-six miles east of Pendleton, which is exhibiting active running, torching, and spotting.
The Picture Rock fire, three miles north of Summer Lake, is displaying extreme fire behavior with running, torching, and spotting. Energy infrastructure is threatened.
The Wrights Spring fire near Sprague River is showing moderate uphill runs, isolated torching, and spotting, with structures and critical infrastructure threatened.
The Rowe Creek Complex in the Prineville District is seeing minimal fire behavior with backing, creeping, and smoldering.
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Pendleton — Smoke, High 88, Low 58
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Medford — Mostly Cloudy, High 94, Low 59
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Portland — Mostly Cloudy, High 84, Low 59
California
California reports active large incidents, currently tracking 2 large fires.
A weak upper-level disturbance is tracking through northern California during the afternoon, which is expected to bring gusty winds and low relative humidity values over the northeastern parts of the state.
The Plains fire in San Luis Obispo County and the Hatchet fire in Tulare County continue to be managed.
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Sacramento — Mostly Cloudy, High 91, Low 59
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Fresno — Partly Cloudy, High 97, Low 69
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Los Angeles — Partly Cloudy, High 87, Low 69
Idaho
Idaho carries 5 active large fires across the state. The incoming weather disturbance brings low relative humidity values into southern Idaho and could trigger thunderstorms over the eastern part of the state.
The Tartar fire in the Boise District, the MM115 Hwy 20 fire in the Southwest Supervisory Area, the Doublesprings fire, the Lake fire, the Upper Smith fire, and the Moose Mountain fire continue to see suppression efforts.
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Boise — Mostly Cloudy, High 92, Low 64
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Pocatello — Thunderstorms, High 87, Low 54
Montana
Montana reports 8 active large incidents across the state. Thunderstorms triggered by the regional disturbance are expected to push into western Montana.
Several fires continue to burn across the western and central parts of the state, including the Sand Creek, Bobcat Lakes, Silvertip, Skillet, Moose, and Black Bear fires.
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Missoula — Mostly Cloudy, High 85, Low 53
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Helena — Thunderstorms, High 82, Low 56
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Great Falls — Thunderstorms, High 82, Low 55
Wyoming
Wyoming's large-fire footprint centers on the Beaverhead-Teton and Wind River-Bighorn Basin districts.
The Bare fire, Weiser Knoll fire, and Cold Springs fire continue to show varying degrees of fire behavior and containment.
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Casper — Partly Cloudy, High 85, Low 53
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Cheyenne — Thunderstorms, High 84, Low 56
Nevada
Nevada currently carries 4 active large fires. The northern portion of the state is facing gusty winds and low relative humidity today.
The Bug and Stallion Fire complex, New Pass fire, Mouse Meadow fire, and Ward fire are among the active incidents being managed.
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Reno — Partly Cloudy, High 92, Low 59
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Las Vegas — Sunny, High 104, Low 85
Utah
Fire activity remains significant in the Great Basin, with Utah currently tracking 3 large fires.
The Widemouth 2 and Black Canyon fires in Utah continue to threaten residences and critical infrastructure, with evacuations and closures actively in effect.
- Salt Lake City — Partly Cloudy, High 93, Low 71
Colorado
Colorado has 5 active large fires across multiple districts.
Incidents such as the Aspen Acres fire, Gold Mountain fire, Elk fire, Willow fire, and the newer Post fire in Las Animas County continue to draw resources.
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Grand Junction — Sunny, High 93, Low 64
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Pueblo — Sunny, High 90, Low 61
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Denver — Sunny, High 89, Low 63
Arizona
Arizona's large-fire footprint remains limited, with monsoon activity continuing to be the primary variable.
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Flagstaff — Sunny, High 84, Low 55
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Phoenix — Very Hot, High 111, Low 90
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Tucson — Very Hot, High 105, Low 79
New Mexico
New Mexico is currently managing 3 active large fires.
The Frijoles fire in the Santa Fe National Forest and the Johnson fire in the Gila National Forest remain active.
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Santa Fe — Thunderstorms, High 89, Low 59
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Albuquerque — Thunderstorms, High 93, Low 65
Sources: NICC Incident Management Situation Report (Aug 17, 2026), NIFC Fire Information, National Weather Service