Wildfire Report
Daily Tech Reader - Wildfire Edition
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National Overview
National Overview
The U.S. remains at Preparedness Level 5. Initial attack activity was light with 97 new fires reported nationwide yesterday, alongside 7 new large incidents. Firefighters are actively managing 75 uncontained large fires, with 26,890 personnel assigned to incidents nationwide. Year-to-date in 2026, firefighters have responded to 49,418 wildfires that have burned 7,471,468 acres across the United States.
An international contingent from Australia and New Zealand—comprising 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. Military support continues on the Modrite fire with 240 soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division deployed alongside an assigned Incident Management Organization. Aerial support includes two MAFFS C-130 airtankers from the 302nd Airlift Wing (Air Force Reserve, CO) and one from the 152nd Airlift Wing (NV Air National Guard) deployed to Klamath Falls, OR, as well as two MAFFS C-130 airtankers from the 146th Airlift Wing (CA Air National Guard) deployed to Redding, CA.
Strong high pressure will drift westward into the Desert Southwest today, driving subtle warming and drying across much of the western United States with highs reaching the upper 80s to 90s across the West and 100s in California's Interior Valley and western Arizona. Relative humidity values will range in the single digits and teens with winds generally under 15 mph. A cold front pushing into the Central Plains will deliver numerous thunderstorms and ease hot, dry conditions across eastern Colorado, Kansas, and Missouri. South of the front across Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, oppressive heat with triple-digit temperatures, relative humidity in the teens, and southerly wind gusts of 20 to 25 mph will create enhanced fire weather conditions, while scattered thunderstorms over record-dry fuels present new start and gusty outflow risks in southern Florida.
Washington
The Northwest Area remains the primary center of fire activity with 34 uncontained large fires and 13 Complex Incident Management Teams (CIMTs) committed.
The Little Giant fire in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, located 30 miles northwest of Leavenworth, continues to display active fire behavior with flanking, backing, and group torching, threatening numerous structures and critical infrastructure. The Sinlahekin and Reevas Basin fires near Tonasket, as well as the Kaiser Canyon and Modrite fires, continue to see moderate fire behavior with evacuations, road closures, and area closures in effect. Additional active incidents across Washington include the Three Queens and Ptarmigan fires (Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest), Grand Park 2 (Mount Rainier National Park), High Lava (Gifford Pinchot National Forest), and the Luna and Border 2 fires (North Cascades National Park).
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Spokane — Sunny, High 89, Low 56
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Seattle — Mostly Cloudy, High 78, Low 58
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Yakima — Partly Cloudy, High 92, Low 63
Oregon
Oregon continues to experience widespread wildfire activity with complex suppression operations across federal, state, and private lands.
The Grasshopper fire on the Mt. Hood National Forest is exhibiting active fire behavior with running, flanking, and single-tree torching, with the CIMT also managing the Austin and The Narrows incidents. Active behavior with running, torching, and spotting is reported on both the Paradise and Hagen fires in the Umatilla National Forest. Major suppression efforts also continue on the Big Grass fire (Vale District, BLM), Wrights Spring fire (Fremont-Winema National Forest), Rowe Creek Complex (Prineville District, BLM), 0587 Shingle fire, Second Flat fire, Picture Rock fire, Fielder Mountain fire, and the Bologna fire complex.
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Pendleton — Partly Cloudy, High 90, Low 56
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Medford — Sunny, High 98, Low 61
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Portland — Mostly Cloudy, High 82, Low 60
California
California is currently managing 2 uncontained large fires, supported by 2 committed CIMTs across Northern and Southern California.
In Northern California, the MP18 fire on the Hoopa Wildland Fire Department unit is burning actively with flanking, backing, and spotting, threatening structures and communication infrastructure north of Hoopa. In Southern California, the Timber fire on the Los Padres National Forest southeast of Big Sur shows moderate fire behavior with uphill runs, flanking, and torching, threatening numerous residences and infrastructure.
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Sacramento — Sunny, High 97, Low 61
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Fresno — Partly Cloudy, High 101, Low 72
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Los Angeles — Partly Cloudy, High 89, Low 70
Idaho
Idaho carries active large incidents spanning both the Northern Rockies and Great Basin coordination areas.
The Upper Smith fire and Porcupine fire on the Idaho Panhandle National Forest, the Moose Mountain and Little Weitas fires on the Nez Perce - Clearwater National Forest, and the Doublesprings fire on the Salmon-Challis National Forest continue under active suppression and monitoring.
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Boise — Partly Cloudy, High 96, Low 66
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Pocatello — Sunny, High 90, Low 56
Montana
Montana is managing 13 uncontained large fires within the Northern Rockies Area, with 1 CIMT committed.
The Sand Creek and Bobcat Lakes fires east of Wisdom show creeping, smoldering, and isolated torching, threatening structures and communication infrastructure. Other active incidents undergoing suppression include the Skillet fire and Silvertip fire (Flathead National Forest), Moose fire (Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest), Ant Park fire (Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest), Black Bear and North Fork Lost Horse fires (Bitterroot National Forest), and the Sarpy fire (Crow Agency, BIA).
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Missoula — Sunny, High 87, Low 52
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Helena — Sunny, High 86, Low 51
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Great Falls — Smoke, High 88, Low 55
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Billings — Sunny, High 90, Low 60
Wyoming
Wyoming initial attack and monitoring operations continue across state and federal lands under warm, dry weather conditions.
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Casper — Sunny, High 86, Low 52
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Cheyenne — Partly Cloudy, High 84, Low 56
Nevada
Nevada currently has active large incidents within the Great Basin Area.
The Shoshone fire northeast of Fallon is burning actively in grass, brush, and timber with running, flanking, and backing. Containment efforts are nearing completion on the Bug fire, Stallion fire, and Mouse Meadow fire.
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Reno — Partly Cloudy, High 99, Low 62
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Las Vegas — Partly Cloudy, High 109, Low 86
Utah
Utah continues suppression operations on multiple large fires in the Great Basin Area.
The Black Canyon fire on the Manti-La Sal National Forest and Rocky Canyon fire in the Northwest Area (Utah DOF) are exhibiting moderate to active fire behavior, including wind-driven runs and torching that threaten residences and infrastructure. The Widemouth 2 fire on the Fishlake National Forest is nearing high containment with command transitioning back to the local unit.
- Salt Lake City — Sunny, High 98, Low 73
Colorado
Colorado is managing 7 uncontained large fires in the Rocky Mountain Area, supported by 1 committed CIMT.
The Elk fire and Gold Mountain fire on the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forest show moderate fire behavior with flanking, backing, and torching, threatening local infrastructure. Suppression and patrol operations continue on the Aspen Acres fire in Custer County, the Willow fire on the Pike and San Isabel National Forest, and the Post fire in Las Animas County.
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Grand Junction — Sunny, High 97, Low 66
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Pueblo — Thunderstorms, High 91, Low 61
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Denver — Partly Cloudy, High 88, Low 63
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Colorado Springs — Thunderstorms, High 85, Low 57
Arizona
Fire activity in Arizona remains characterized by light initial attack, with monsoon storms and extreme heat influencing regional conditions.
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Flagstaff — Thunderstorms, High 88, Low 56
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Phoenix — Very Hot, High 110, Low 90
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Tucson — Thunderstorms, High 103, Low 78
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Yuma — Very Hot, High 109, Low 86
New Mexico
New Mexico carries 1 uncontained large fire in the Southwest Area, with 1 CIMT committed.
The Frijoles fire in the Santa Fe National Forest is displaying active fire behavior with crowning, group torching, and short-range spotting, prompting evacuations and closures. The Johnson fire on the Gila National Forest has reached 100% containment.
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Santa Fe — Sunny, High 95, Low 61
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Albuquerque — Sunny, High 99, Low 67
Alaska
Alaska is managing 1 uncontained large fire with 1 CIMT mobilizing.
The Mukluk fire in the Tok Area is exhibiting active fire behavior in timber, threatening residences and prompting evacuation orders.
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Anchorage — Rain, High 60, Low 53
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Fairbanks — Mostly Cloudy, High 67, Low 49
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Juneau — Rain, High 61, Low 51
Sources: NICC Incident Management Situation Report (Aug 19, 2026), NIFC Fire Information, National Weather Service