Wildfire Report
Daily Tech Reader - Wildfire Edition
National Overview
Wildfire Report — National Overview
The United States is currently at National Preparedness Level 3.
Initial attack activity nationwide was light yesterday, with 86 new fires reported.
Firefighters are managing 56 uncontained large fires, with 8 new large incidents emerging, 6 large fires contained, and 12,047 total personnel assigned to incidents across the country.
Nationally, 11 Complex Incident Management Teams (CIMTs) are committed. Year-to-date in 2026, a total of 56,161 wildfires have burned 8,515,617 acres nationwide.
Hot temperatures continue across the southern Plains today with highs near 100°F, alongside widespread 90s reaching from west Texas northeastward through the Ohio Valley.
Minimum relative humidity values across the Lower Mississippi Valley, Oklahoma, and central Texas will drop to 15–25% this afternoon, accompanied by southerly wind gusts up to 25 mph across central Texas and Oklahoma.
Triple-digit highs and near-record warmth are forecast for locations including Dallas–Fort Worth (100°F), Waco (100°F), Wichita Falls (101°F), Fort Smith (102°F), Little Rock (100°F), and Memphis (100°F), with upper 90s in Oklahoma City (99°F), Abilene (99°F), Evansville (99°F), Louisville (97°F), and St. Louis (96°F).
Across central Nevada and the Mojave Desert, relative humidity will fall to near 10% alongside breezy winds gusting 30 to 35 mph, creating elevated to critical fire conditions.
Widespread showers and thunderstorms will develop over the Southwest and Four Corners with localized flash flood concerns.
In the Northwest and northern Great Basin, isolated to scattered thunderstorms will develop across southwest Oregon and far northern California, as well as eastern Oregon and central Idaho, while the Gulf Coast and Florida remain mostly dry.
Washington
The Northwest Area is operating at Preparedness Level 3.
The Little Giant fire in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest stands at 172,705 acres (81% contained) with minimal creeping and smoldering. Transfer of command from CIMT Northwest Team 12 to CIMT Northwest Team 13 will occur today; the incoming team also manages the Sisi fire, which expanded to 3,676 acres (5% contained) with moderate flanking, backing, and smoldering, threatening residences and energy infrastructure. The Sinlahekin fire covers 166,012 acres (84% contained) with minimal creeping and smoldering, with residences remaining threatened.
The Three Queens fire east of Snoqualmie Pass covers 9,558 acres (23% contained) under CIMT Northwest Team 2, which also oversees the King fire (3,298 acres; 0% contained) and the Goat fire (815 acres; 41% contained). All three fires exhibit creeping and smoldering behavior, with evacuations and closures remaining in effect for Three Queens and Goat. Additional active incidents across Washington include Ptarmigan (25,166 acres; 73% contained), Border 2 (8,171 acres; 73% contained), and Luna (7,879 acres; 34% contained), with Border 2 and Luna displaying moderate backing, flanking, and creeping in North Cascades National Park.
Oregon
Oregon continues large-scale suppression operations coordinated under the Northwest Area.
The Rowe Creek Complex stands at 373,927 acres (99% contained) with smoldering under CIMT ODF Team 1. The Grasshopper fire on the Mt. Hood National Forest spans 93,996 acres (98% contained) with minimal creeping and smoldering. The Austin fire has burned 12,881 acres (87% contained) under CIMT Northwest Team 10, with CIMT California Team 2 mobilizing; the incident management team also oversees The Narrows fire (305 acres; 98% contained) and Grasshopper.
The Hagen fire covers 61,381 acres (87% contained) under CIMT Northwest Team 7, exhibiting minimal creeping and smoldering while continuing to threaten structures. The Paradise fire in the Umatilla National Forest spans 9,656 acres (86% contained).
California
Both Northern California and Southern California are operating at Preparedness Level 3.
In Northern California, the new Floriston fire broke out ten miles northeast of Truckee, burning 613 acres (4% contained) with extreme fire behavior that includes long-range spotting, uphill runs, and wind-driven runs; numerous structures and energy infrastructure are threatened, with area and road closures established. The Lucas fire north of Upper Lake covers 4,128 acres (53% contained) with minimal smoldering, though numerous residences and critical infrastructure remain threatened. The MP18 fire north of Hoopa has reached full containment at 7,599 acres (100% contained).
In Southern California, the new Dome fire ignited one mile north of Wawona in Yosemite National Park, burning 1,177 acres (0% contained) with active wind-driven runs, flanking, and backing; CIMT California Team 3 is mobilizing. The Plaskett fire southwest of Big Sur stands at 29,993 acres (97% contained), with transfer of command from CIMT California Team 7 to CIMT California Team 6 scheduled for today. The Timber fire southeast of Big Sur spans 25,435 acres (44% contained) with backing, creeping, and smoldering under CIMT Southwest Team 1, continuing to threaten numerous structures and communication infrastructure.
Idaho
Idaho coordinates active suppression operations across both the Great Basin and Northern Rockies geographic areas.
In the Great Basin Area, the new Cole fire burned 417 acres (0% contained) fourteen miles south of Boise with minimal smoldering. The Crooked fire east of Idaho City covers 10,081 acres (97% contained) with smoldering and creeping, with structures threatened. The Doublesprings fire northwest of Mackay stands at 1,779 acres (60% contained) with creeping.
In the Northern Rockies Area, the Cascade fire covers 7,475 acres (70% contained) with smoldering and creeping. The Upper Smith fire spans 4,848 acres (41% contained) with smoldering, the Silver fire covers 2,593 acres (30% contained) with creeping and smoldering, and the Parker Lake fire stands at 1,531 acres (0% contained) with smoldering.
Montana
The Northern Rockies Area is operating at Preparedness Level 2.
The Davis Coulee fire southwest of Crow Agency stands at 15,470 acres with containment reaching 20%, displaying moderate creeping and smoldering. The Sand Creek fire east of Wisdom spans 35,520 acres (58% contained), and the Bobcat Lakes fire covers 10,896 acres (72% contained); both incidents exhibit minimal backing, creeping, and smoldering while threatening structures and communication infrastructure.
Other active fires across Montana include Camp Creek (9,725 acres; 99% contained), Silvertip (7,280 acres; 99% contained), Moose (6,005 acres; 15% contained), Nature Grove (1,422 acres; 0% contained), Scimitar (463 acres; 0% contained), and Cooper (354 acres; 0% contained).
Utah
The Great Basin Area is managing active large incident operations in Utah.
The Slough Canyon fire east of Price covers 4,774 acres (75% contained) with minimal smoldering and creeping.
Wyoming
Wyoming manages incident activity under the Rocky Mountain Area.
The Moonshine fire southwest of Wheatland stands at 7,316 acres (51% contained) with minimal backing, creeping, and smoldering; residences remain threatened.
Colorado
The Rocky Mountain Area is operating at Preparedness Level 2.
The Aspen Acres fire in Custer County spans 102,004 acres (82% contained) with minimal fire behavior. The Willow fire west of Leadville stands at 7,389 acres (80% contained) with moderate fire behavior. The Elk fire northwest of Lake City covers 7,257 acres (73% contained), and the Swiss Roll fire east of Pagosa Springs stands at 775 acres (0% contained) with creeping and smoldering, threatening energy infrastructure.
New Mexico
The Southwest Area is operating at Preparedness Level 1.
The Frijoles fire east of Cundiyo spans 15,956 acres (74% contained) with minimal backing, creeping, and smoldering. The Whiskey fire northwest of Mountainair stands at 542 acres (48% contained) with creeping, backing, and smoldering. Communication infrastructure remains threatened on both incidents.
Texas
The Southern Area is operating at Preparedness Level 3.
Two new large incidents emerged across Texas: the Clark fire southwest of Rock Springs burned 700 acres (20% contained) with active running behavior, and the Lobo fire northeast of Cisco burned 658 acres (75% contained) with smoldering, threatening residences. The Dry River fire southeast of Sonora doubled in size to 7,000 acres (25% contained), displaying extreme behavior including spotting, running, and creeping; residences and energy infrastructure are threatened, with road closures in effect. The Hydra fire south of Meridian spans 1,100 acres (25% contained) with active creeping, smoldering, and running, threatening numerous structures.
Other ongoing incidents in Texas include the Bundy fire southeast of Telegraph at 446 acres (85% contained) and the Star Lake fire southeast of Stowell at 16,412 acres (70% contained). Full containment was achieved on the Ross fire (89,989 acres; 100% contained), the Arrowhead fire (795 acres; 100% contained), and the Door Key fire (420 acres; 100% contained).
Oklahoma
The Southern Area is actively suppressing multiple expanding fires across Oklahoma.
The Gracemont fire east of Binger stands at 2,665 acres (20% contained) following remapping, displaying active running and isolated torching. The Calvary Creek fire east of Rocky expanded to 906 acres (60% contained) with moderate creeping, smoldering, and single tree torching. The Black Kettle fire southeast of Roll spans 1,527 acres (50% contained) with creeping and smoldering. Additional active incidents include Atoka Lake (727 acres; 50% contained) and Tram Trail (660 acres; 30% contained).
Arkansas
The Southern Area coordinates large incident response in Arkansas.
The Bunker fire east of East Camden grew to 2,832 acres (65% contained) in southern rough and timber, displaying moderate fire behavior with backing and flanking. Numerous structures remain threatened, with evacuations, area closures, and road closures in effect.
Louisiana
The Southern Area coordinates large incident operations in Louisiana.
Both active incidents on the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge are fully contained: the new Stark fire at 1,119 acres (100% contained) and the Gray fire at 555 acres (100% contained).
Alaska
The Alaska Area is operating at Preparedness Level 1, coordinating zero active uncontained large incidents, with cumulative activity standing at 7,339 acres and zero personnel assigned.
Sources: NICC Incident Management Situation Report (Thu Sept 17, 2026), NIFC Fire Information, National Weather Service