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 53 new fires reported.
Firefighters are managing 50 uncontained large fires, with 2 new large incidents emerging, 6 large fires contained, and 12,315 total personnel assigned to incidents across the country.
Nationally, 9 Complex Incident Management Teams (CIMTs) are committed.
Year-to-date in 2026, a total of 56,289 wildfires have burned 8,523,213 acres nationwide.
Hot temperatures continue across the southern Plains and Mid-Mississippi Valley today with highs near 100°F, while widespread above-normal temperatures spread eastward into the southern Appalachians.
Minimum relative humidity values across the southern Plains to the Lower Mississippi Valley will drop to 20–35%, accompanied by breezy southerly winds of 15–20 mph across the southern Plains creating areas of elevated fire weather conditions.
Triple-digit highs and near-record warmth are forecast for locations including Fort Smith (102°F), Phoenix (102°F), Yuma (102°F), Little Rock (100°F), Memphis (100°F), and Wichita Falls (100°F).
Upper 90s are expected across Dallas–Fort Worth (99°F), Tulsa (99°F), Wichita (99°F), Chattanooga (99°F), Tupelo (99°F), Abilene (98°F), Austin (98°F), Oklahoma City (98°F), Waco (98°F), Birmingham (98°F), Nashville (98°F), Huntsville (98°F), San Angelo (97°F), San Antonio (97°F), Shreveport (97°F), Springfield, MO (97°F), and Jackson, MS (97°F).
Across the Mojave Desert to southern Nevada, relative humidity will remain low, though winds will be lighter than preceding days and generally near or below 10 mph.
Widespread showers and isolated thunderstorms will develop from central Idaho into the northern Rockies, while abundant cloud cover continues in the Greater Four Corners with isolated afternoon showers and thunderstorms.
California will continue to see cool temperatures, while temperatures remain slightly above normal in Washington.
Washington
The Northwest Area is operating at Preparedness Level 3.
The Little Giant fire in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest stands at 172,814 acres (81% contained) with minimal creeping and smoldering under CIMT Northwest Team 13; the team also manages the Sisi fire, which covers 3,691 acres (15% contained) with active flanking, backing, and torching, 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 9,562 acres (23% contained) under CIMT Northwest Team 2, which also oversees the King fire (3,304 acres; 0% contained) and the Goat fire (815 acres; 64% 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 (8,284 acres; 70% contained), and Luna (7,879 acres; 53% 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, aided by precipitation over the fire area yesterday. 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 12,866 acres (98% contained), with a transfer of command from CIMT Northwest Team 10 to CIMT California Team 2 scheduled for tomorrow; the incident management team also oversees The Narrows fire (305 acres; 98% contained) and Grasshopper. Acreage on Austin was adjusted downward following more accurate mapping.
The Hagen fire covers 61,382 acres (87% contained) under CIMT Northwest Team 7, exhibiting minimal creeping and smoldering with area and road closures in effect. The Paradise fire in the Umatilla National Forest spans 9,656 acres (86% contained), with critical infrastructure remaining threatened.
California
Both Northern California and Southern California are operating at Preparedness Level 3.
In Northern California, the Floriston fire northeast of Truckee covers 640 acres (8% contained) with moderate fire behavior including creeping, smoldering, and isolated torching; residences and energy infrastructure remain threatened, with area and road closures in place. The Lucas fire north of Upper Lake covers 4,128 acres (67% contained) with minimal smoldering, though communication infrastructure remains threatened.
In Southern California, the Dome fire in Yosemite National Park spans 1,177 acres (10% contained) under CIMT California Team 3, displaying active fire behavior with isolated torching, flanking, and creeping. The Timber fire southeast of Big Sur spans 25,435 acres (59% contained) with backing, creeping, and smoldering under CIMT Southwest Team 1, continuing to threaten numerous structures and communication infrastructure. The Plaskett fire southwest of Big Sur stands at 29,993 acres (97% contained) under CIMT California Team 6, with minimal creeping and backing.
Idaho
Idaho coordinates active suppression operations across both the Great Basin and Northern Rockies geographic areas.
In the Great Basin Area, the Crooked fire east of Idaho City covers 10,081 acres (98% contained) with smoldering and creeping. The Doublesprings fire northwest of Mackay stands at 1,779 acres (70% contained) with creeping. The Cole fire south of Boise achieved full containment at 417 acres (100% contained).
In the Northern Rockies Area, the Cascade fire covers 7,475 acres (70% contained). 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 (50% contained) with minimal 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 Moose (6,005 acres; 15% contained) and Nature Grove (1,422 acres; 0% contained, threatening structures). Full containment was completed on both the Scimitar fire (463 acres; 100% contained) and the Cooper fire (354 acres; 100% 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 7,320 acres (51% contained) with minimal backing, creeping, and smoldering; residences remain threatened, though precipitation occurred over the fire area yesterday.
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 moderate fire behavior. The Willow fire west of Leadville stands at 7,389 acres (80% contained) with minimal smoldering and creeping following rain over the burn area yesterday. 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 smoldering and creeping, 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 and smoldering. Communication infrastructure remains threatened on both incidents.
Texas
The Southern Area is operating at Preparedness Level 3.
A new large incident, the Breezy fire, emerged seven miles northeast of Rio Grande City, burning 500 acres (75% contained) in grass and brush with active wind-driven runs and smoldering, threatening residences and energy infrastructure. The Dry River fire southeast of Sonora expanded to 8,939 acres (40% contained), exhibiting active fire behavior with spotting, creeping, and smoldering while threatening residences and energy facilities. The Clark fire southwest of Rock Springs grew to 1,523 acres (35% contained) with minimal smoldering and creeping. The Hydra fire south of Meridian stands at 1,100 acres (35% contained) with moderate smoldering and creeping, threatening numerous structures.
The Star Lake fire southeast of Stowell covers 16,412 acres (75% contained) with minimal smoldering. The Lobo fire northeast of Cisco stands at 658 acres (91% contained) with smoldering, issuing its final report unless activity increases. Full containment was achieved on the Bundy fire at 446 acres (100% contained).
Oklahoma
The Southern Area coordinates suppression operations on multiple fires across Oklahoma.
The Gracemont fire east of Binger stands at 2,665 acres (30% contained), displaying active fire behavior with isolated torching, running, and creeping, with 31 structures reported lost to date. The Calvary Creek fire east of Rocky covers 906 acres (85% contained) with minimal smoldering. The Black Kettle fire southeast of Roll spans 1,527 acres (94% contained) with minimal fire behavior, submitting its final report unless significant changes occur. The Tram Trail fire northeast of Rattan stands at 660 acres (70% contained) with moderate backing behavior. Full containment was completed on the Atoka Lake fire (727 acres; 100% contained).
Arkansas
The Southern Area coordinates large incident response in Arkansas.
The Bunker fire east of East Camden covers 2,849 acres (75% contained) in southern rough and timber, exhibiting active fire behavior with backing and flanking; structures remain threatened with area and road closures in effect. The new Shell Rock fire on the Ouachita National Forest reached full containment at 144 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 (Fri Sept 18, 2026), NIFC Fire Information, National Weather Service