Wildfire Report

The U.S. is at Preparedness Level 4. Initial attack activity across the country is light, with 65 new fires reported nationwide yesterday.

                                                               

Daily Tech Reader - Wildfire Edition


National Overview

Wildfire Report — National Overview

The U.S. is at Preparedness Level 4. Initial attack activity across the country is light, with 65 new fires reported nationwide yesterday.

Firefighters are currently working to manage 78 uncontained large fires, with 6 new large incidents emerging, 2 large fires contained, and 17,812 total personnel assigned to incidents nationwide.

So far in 2026, firefighters have responded to 53,030 wildfires that have burned 8,307,707 acres across the United States.

An international contingent from Australia and New Zealand — two 15-member incident management teams and 212 fireline 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) remain deployed in support of wildland fire operations on the Little Giant fire, supported by an assigned Incident Management Organization (IMO).

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) are deployed to Santa Maria, CA, while two MAFFS C-130 airtankers and support personnel from the 146th Airlift Wing (CA Air National Guard) are deployed to Redding, CA to support operations nationally.

Moderate conditions continue across parts of Wyoming and eastern Montana due to continuing hot, dry, and breezy conditions, with temperatures reaching 90°F to 100°F, relative humidity lowering to 10% to 20%, and wind gusts of 20 to 35 mph.

Moderate conditions also continue across the Southern Plains and Mississippi Valley again today with highs reaching 100°F and locally breezy winds extending over Oklahoma and Kansas amid relative humidity of 25% to 30%.

Across the Pacific Northwest, western Northern Rockies, and Northern California, large fire potential continues to decrease as showers with cooler temperatures spread across the area, while showers and thunderstorms continue across the Southwest, extending into the central Rockies and the central Plains.


Washington

The Northwest Area is operating at Preparedness Level 4, coordinating 23 uncontained large fires across the region.

The Little Giant fire in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest northwest of Leavenworth stands at 170,784 acres (81% contained) with moderate backing, smoldering, and creeping under CIMT California Team 5 (with transfer of command to CIMT Northwest Team 12 occurring today), which is also managing the Sisi fire (2,244 acres; 11% contained; moderate creeping, smoldering, and backing). The Sinlahekin fire near Tonasket spans 166,106 acres (44% contained) with minimal smoldering under CIMT Southwest Team 3.

The Three Queens fire east of Snoqualmie Pass stands at 9,364 acres (8% contained) with minimal creeping and smoldering under CIMT Northern Rockies Team 2, which is also managing the King fire (2,991 acres; 0% contained), Goat fire (794 acres; 0% contained), and Wonderland Complex (379 acres; 0% contained). Additional active incidents across Washington include Ptarmigan (25,166 acres; 73% contained), Border 2 (8,043 acres; 72% contained), Luna (7,722 acres; 34% contained), High Lava (2,899 acres; 63% contained), Thunder Creek (950 acres; 0% contained), and Electric (622 acres; 24% contained).

  • Spokane — Partly Cloudy, High 73, Low 48

  • Seattle — Mostly Cloudy, High 70, Low 54

  • Yakima — Showers, High 72, Low 50


Oregon

Oregon continues to manage extensive wildland fire activity under Northwest Area coordination.

The Big Grass fire southwest of Jordan Valley spans 578,637 acres (94% contained) with minimal smoldering. The Rowe Creek Complex south of Fossil stands at 373,927 acres (99% contained) under CIMT California Team 4.

The Grasshopper fire on the Mt. Hood National Forest has burned 93,993 acres (84% contained) with minimal creeping and smoldering. The Austin fire stands at 12,610 acres (21% contained) with minimal creeping and smoldering under CIMT Great Basin Team 4 (with CIMT Northwest Team 10 mobilizing), which is also managing The Narrows fire (302 acres; 27% contained) and Grasshopper. The Hagen fire (61,408 acres; 55% contained) exhibits minimal creeping and smoldering, managed alongside the Paradise fire (9,593 acres; 22% contained) in the Umatilla National Forest under CIMT Northwest Team 8.

The Wrights Spring fire near Sprague River covers 55,134 acres (95% contained) with minimal creeping and smoldering. The McCully fire northwest of Baker City spans 13,501 acres (25% contained) with minimal creeping and smoldering under CIMT Northwest Team 3.

  • Pendleton — Showers, High 69, Low 42

  • Medford — Sunny, High 76, Low 51

  • Portland — Mostly Cloudy, High 72, Low 55


California

Northern California and Southern California are both operating at Preparedness Level 3.

In Northern California, the S 1 Vya fire north of Vya spans 9,692 acres (94% contained) with minimal smoldering under CIMT California Team 2. The MP18 fire north of Hoopa stands at 7,601 acres (95% contained) with minimal smoldering.

In Southern California, the Plaskett fire southwest of Big Sur has reached 29,768 acres (23% contained) with moderate uphill runs, flanking, and backing under CIMT California Team 7. The Timber fire in the Los Padres National Forest southeast of Big Sur has burned 25,346 acres (23% contained) with moderate flanking, uphill runs, and single tree torching under CIMT California Team 3 (with CIMT Southwest Team 1 mobilizing).

  • Sacramento — Sunny, High 81, Low 57

  • Fresno — Sunny, High 86, Low 61

  • Los Angeles — Sunny, High 87, Low 69


Idaho

Idaho coordinates active incidents across both the Great Basin and Northern Rockies geographic areas.

In southern and central Idaho, the Crooked fire on the Boise National Forest spans 10,006 acres (30% contained) with moderate creeping and smoldering under CIMT Great Basin Team 3. The Doublesprings fire northwest of Mackay stands at 1,779 acres (50% contained) with minimal smoldering and creeping.

In northern Idaho, the Cascade fire stands at 7,475 acres (50% contained) with minimal backing and smoldering. The Moose Mountain fire covers 5,832 acres (8% contained) with moderate backing and single tree torching. The Upper Smith fire spans 4,808 acres (42% contained) with minimal backing, creeping, and smoldering. The Silver fire stands at 2,545 acres (0% contained), Parker Lake covers 1,429 acres (0% contained), Dudley stands at 800 acres (88% contained), and Porcupine covers 180 acres (0% contained). Additional incidents include Grotto (3,849 acres; 0% contained), Wolf Creek (2,280 acres; 25% contained), and Three Links (790 acres; 0% contained).

  • Boise — Sunny, High 74, Low 54

  • Pocatello — Sunny, High 83, Low 49


Montana

The Northern Rockies Area is at Preparedness Level 2, tracking 25 uncontained large fires across the region.

The Rattlesnake Complex east of Miles City (13,792 acres; 0% contained) encompasses the previously reported Snow, Pine Creek, and Ayers Pond incidents and exhibits active short crown runs, group torching, and wind-driven runs.

The Sand Creek fire east of Wisdom spans 35,490 acres (25% contained) with minimal backing, creeping, and smoldering under CIMT Northern Rockies Team 1, which is also managing the Bobcat Lakes fire (10,850 acres; 61% contained), Moose fire (6,003 acres; 15% contained), and Skull fire (67 acres; 0% contained). Other active fires include Camp Creek (9,725 acres; 0% contained), Silvertip (7,280 acres; 15% contained), Skillet (3,414 acres; 81% contained), Nature Grove (1,422 acres; 0% contained), Yodeling Valley (300 acres; 60% contained), Three Bar Corral (200 acres; 20% contained), Scimitar (334 acres; 0% contained), and Cooper (310 acres; 0% contained).

  • Missoula — Mostly Cloudy, High 75, Low 45

  • Helena — Sunny, High 76, Low 46

  • Great Falls — Sunny, High 73, Low 48


Nevada

The Great Basin Area is at Preparedness Level 3, coordinating large incident suppression across Nevada.

The McConnell fire east of Orovada has reached 33,231 acres (81% contained) with minimal creeping, backing, and smoldering under CIMT Great Basin Team 6. The Calico fire southeast of McDermitt stands at 18,319 acres (98% contained) with minimal fire behavior.

  • Reno — Sunny, High 77, Low 49

  • Las Vegas — Sunny, High 98, Low 77


Utah

The Great Basin Area is managing active large incidents across Utah.

The Tom Creek fire south of Dugway covers 4,991 acres (85% contained) with minimal spotting, creeping, and backing. The Slough Canyon fire east of Price spans 4,774 acres (63% contained) with minimal smoldering and creeping.

  • Salt Lake City — Sunny, High 89, Low 68

Wyoming

Wyoming currently manages active fire incidents with continuing high-risk fire weather over the region today.

The Cow Camp fire southeast of Ten Sleep stands at 300 acres (1% contained) and exhibits extreme fire behavior with group torching, spotting, and backing.

  • Casper — Sunny, High 91, Low 56

  • Cheyenne — Thunderstorms, High 86, Low 59


Colorado

The Rocky Mountain Area is operating at Preparedness Level 2, managing 5 uncontained large fires.

The Aspen Acres fire in Custer County southwest of Pueblo stands at 102,004 acres (82% contained) with minimal fire behavior. The Willow fire near Leadville covers 7,534 acres (80% contained), and the Elk fire northwest of Lake City spans 7,257 acres (73% contained).

  • Grand Junction — Partly Cloudy, High 87, Low 64

  • Pueblo — Partly Cloudy, High 95, Low 62

  • Denver — Thunderstorms, High 93, Low 64


Arizona

The Southwest Area is at Preparedness Level 2, coordinating large fires and monitoring weather activity across the region.

The Paddy Creek fire southeast of White River covers 668 acres (63% contained). The Mount Emma fire in Grand Canyon National Park stands at 368 acres (70% contained) with minimal smoldering.

  • Flagstaff — Thunderstorms, High 77, Low 51

  • Phoenix — Very Hot, High 102, Low 85

  • Tucson — Sunny, High 95, Low 72


New Mexico

The Southwest Area is coordinating active large fires across New Mexico.

The Frijoles fire in the Santa Fe National Forest east of Cundiyo spans 15,483 acres (77% contained) under CIMT Southwest Team 4 with minimal creeping and smoldering. The Whiskey fire northwest of Mountainair stands at 393 acres (30% contained) with minimal creeping. The Sunset fire southwest of Arabela covers 145 acres (80% contained), and the Mogote Ridge fire east of Canjilon spans 112 acres (70% contained) with minimal fire behavior.

  • Santa Fe — partly sunny, High 87, Low 60

  • Albuquerque — partly sunny, High 90, Low 66


Texas

The Southern Area is at Preparedness Level 3, tracking active incidents across Texas.

The Ross fire west of Palo Pinto has burned 90,400 acres (38% contained) with moderate creeping, smoldering, and single tree torching.

  • Dallas-Fort Worth — Sunny, High 100, Low 80

  • Austin — Partly Cloudy, High 97, Low 76

  • Waco — Sunny, High 98, Low 76


Oklahoma

The Southern Area coordinates suppression across active Oklahoma fires following elevated fire weather conditions.

The Alexander Trail fire west of Nashoba covers 1,600 acres (70% contained) with moderate backing and creeping. The Wright fire is fully contained at 608 acres (100% contained). The Railroad South fire east of Indiahoma covers 515 acres (40% contained) with minimal backing and creeping. The Crumb Creek fire stands at 260 acres (85% contained) with minimal backing.

  • Oklahoma City — Sunny, High 100, Low 76

  • Tulsa — Sunny, High 102, Low 79


Arkansas

The Southern Area is managing suppression operations on the West Glover fire in the Ouachita National Forest, which stands at 499 acres (75% contained) with minimal smoldering.

  • Little Rock — Sunny, High 99, Low 79

  • Fort Smith — Thunderstorms, High 105, Low 77


Georgia

The Southern Area reports activity on wildlife refuge lands in Georgia.

The Main Trail fire in the Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge southeast of Savannah covers 820 acres (84% contained) with minimal creeping.

  • Atlanta — Very Hot, High 98, Low 76

  • Savannah — Partly Cloudy, High 95, Low 76


South Dakota

The Rocky Mountain Area manages active fire activity in South Dakota.

The Needles fire east of Evergreen Community covers 960 acres (0% contained) and exhibits extreme fire behavior with wind-driven runs.


Minnesota

The Eastern Area is operating at Preparedness Level 1, with three uncontained large fires managed under NIMO Team 1 in the Superior National Forest.

The Bear Trap fire north of Ely spans 30,804 acres (97% contained). The Thumb fire south of Lac la Croix covers 25,015 acres (97% contained), and the Sioux fire northwest of Ely stands at 6,833 acres (97% contained). All three incidents continue to exhibit minimal fire behavior.

  • Duluth — Mostly Cloudy, High 72, Low 55

  • Minneapolis-St. Paul — Mostly Cloudy, High 85, Low 68


Alaska

The Alaska Area is at Preparedness Level 1, coordinating 1 active incident with 7,335 cumulative acres.

  • Anchorage — Rain, High 64, Low 50

  • Fairbanks — Showers, High 58, Low 47

  • Juneau — Partly Cloudy, High 66, Low 49


Sources: NICC Incident Management Situation Report (Sat Sept 5, 2026), NIFC Fire Information, National Weather Service



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