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 60 new fires reported.
Firefighters are managing 61 uncontained large fires, with 9 new large incidents emerging, 3 large fires contained, and 11,510 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 56,042 wildfires have burned 8,514,803 acres nationwide.
Hot temperatures continue across the southern Plains today with highs near 100°F alongside locally breezy southerly winds of 12–20 mph and higher gusts, accompanied by minimum relative humidity levels of 15–25%, focused over central Texas.
Triple-digit highs are forecast for locations such as Dallas–Fort Worth (100°F), Abilene (101°F), and Oklahoma City (100°F).
Hot temperatures will also spread northeastward into the Mid-Mississippi and Lower Ohio Valleys.
Widespread showers and thunderstorms will develop in the Southwest and Four Corners, with scattered showers and thunderstorms across Utah into western Colorado.
An upper-level low over northern California into southern Oregon and central Idaho will bring scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms, while south winds of 15–20 mph and relative humidity of 10–15% develop across Nevada, generating elevated fire conditions.
Scattered showers and thunderstorms will also develop along a weak frontal boundary from the central Plains into the Lower Great Lakes, while isolated storms continue across Florida and the northern Gulf Coast.
Washington
The Northwest Area is operating at Preparedness Level 3.
The Little Giant fire in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest covers 172,705 acres (81% contained) with minimal fire behavior, including creeping and smoldering. Transfer of command from CIMT Northwest Team 12 to CIMT Northwest Team 13 will occur tomorrow; the CIMT also oversees the Sisi fire, which stands at 3,449 acres (5% contained) with minimal backing, creeping, and smoldering. Both fires received precipitation yesterday. The Sinlahekin fire covers 166,000 acres (81% contained) with minimal smoldering and creeping following recent rainfall.
The Three Queens fire east of Snoqualmie Pass covers 9,555 acres (20% contained) under CIMT Northwest Team 2, which also manages the King fire (3,298 acres; 0% contained) and the Goat fire (815 acres; 22% contained), all displaying smoldering behavior. Additional active incidents across Washington include Ptarmigan (25,166 acres; 73% contained), Border 2 (8,171 acres; 73% contained), Luna (7,879 acres; 34% contained), and Electric (495 acres; 90% contained).
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 93,974 acres (98% contained) with minimal creeping and smoldering following acreage remapping and precipitation. The Austin fire has burned 12,844 acres (77% contained) under CIMT Northwest Team 10, which also oversees The Narrows fire (305 acres; 98% contained).
The Hagen fire covers 61,381 acres (87% contained) under CIMT Northwest Team 7. The Paradise fire in the Umatilla National Forest spans 9,656 acres (86% contained), with incident command transitioning from CIMT Northwest Team 8 back to the local unit today. The McCully fire stands at 13,604 acres (91% contained) with minimal smoldering following rain over the fire area.
California
Both Northern California and Southern California are operating at Preparedness Level 3.
In Northern California, the Lucas fire north of Upper Lake covers 4,128 acres (40% contained) with minimal creeping and smoldering, threatening numerous residences and critical infrastructure. The MP18 fire north of Hoopa covers 7,599 acres (98% contained) with minimal smoldering.
In Southern California, the Plaskett fire southwest of Big Sur has burned 29,993 acres (89% contained), with command transitioning tomorrow from CIMT California Team 7 to CIMT California Team 6. The Timber fire southeast of Big Sur stands at 25,426 acres (44% contained) with minimal backing, creeping, and smoldering under CIMT Southwest Team 1.
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 (95% contained) with smoldering and creeping. The Doublesprings fire northwest of Mackay stands at 1,779 acres (60% contained) with creeping.
In the Northern Rockies Area, the Cascade fire spans 7,475 acres (70% contained) with smoldering and creeping. The Moose Mountain fire covers 5,832 acres (90% contained). The Upper Smith fire is at 4,848 acres (41% contained), the Silver fire covers 2,593 acres (30% contained), and the Parker Lake fire stands at 1,531 acres (0% contained).
Montana
The Northern Rockies Area is operating at Preparedness Level 2.
The Davis Coulee fire southwest of Crow Agency expanded to 15,470 acres (0% contained) with moderate creeping and smoldering; residences remain threatened and evacuations are in effect. The Sand Creek fire east of Wisdom spans 35,520 acres (58% contained) with backing, creeping, and smoldering. The Bobcat Lakes fire covers 10,896 acres (72% contained).
Other active fires across Montana include Camp Creek (9,725 acres; 0% contained), Silvertip (7,280 acres; 15% contained), Moose (6,005 acres; 15% contained), Nature Grove (1,422 acres; 0% contained), Scimitar (334 acres; 0% contained), and Cooper (176 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 7,304 acres (51% contained) with moderate backing, creeping, and smoldering. Residences remain threatened, and recent precipitation over the fire area has aided containment efforts.
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 smoldering and creeping after receiving rainfall. The Elk fire covers 7,257 acres (73% contained), and the Swiss Roll fire east of Pagosa Springs stands at 775 acres (0% contained).
New Mexico
The Southwest Area is operating at Preparedness Level 2.
The Frijoles fire east of Cundiyo spans 15,956 acres (74% contained) with minimal backing, creeping, and flanking. The Whiskey fire northwest of Mountainair stands at 542 acres (48% contained) with moderate creeping and smoldering following yesterday's rain. The Monument fire south of Tinnie covers 572 acres (90% contained).
Texas
The Southern Area is operating at Preparedness Level 3.
Multiple new large incidents emerged across Texas: the Dry River fire southeast of Sonora burned 3,500 acres (0% contained) with extreme behavior including group torching, running, and long-range spotting; the Hydra fire south of Meridian spans 1,000 acres (10% contained) with extreme wind-driven runs and evacuations; the Bundy fire southeast of Telegraph covers 446 acres (75% contained); and the Upton 3 fire east of Christoval stands at 394 acres (90% contained).
Ongoing incidents include the Ross fire west of Palo Pinto at 90,400 acres (93% contained), with CIMT Florida State Team 1 transferring command back to the local unit tomorrow. The Star Lake fire southeast of Stowell grew to 16,412 acres (70% contained). The Arrowhead fire southeast of Wichita Falls stands at 700 acres (0% contained), and the Elm Creek fire is fully contained at 737 acres (100% contained).
Oklahoma
The Southern Area is actively suppressing multiple expanding fires across Oklahoma.
The Gracemont fire east of Binger expanded to 3,000 acres (0% contained) with active wind-driven runs, short-range spotting, and crowning threatening numerous structures. The Black Kettle fire southeast of Roll stands at 1,526 acres (50% contained).
New large incidents include the Calvary Creek fire east of Rocky at 815 acres (5% contained) with active wind-driven runs and flanking, and the Atoka Lake fire northeast of Atoka at 727 acres (50% contained) with backing and creeping. The Tram Trail fire northeast of Rattan covers 660 acres (30% contained) following remapping, and the Meers fire northwest of Meers is at 914 acres (95% contained).
Arkansas
The Southern Area coordinates large incident response in Arkansas.
The new Bunker fire east of East Camden has burned 1,950 acres (30% contained) displaying extreme fire behavior with short crown runs, backing, and flanking; numerous structures are threatened, and evacuations and closures are in effect. The West Glover fire has reached full containment at 499 acres (100% contained).
Florida
The Southern Area is managing suppression operations in Florida.
The new Blue Lake fire west of Fellsmere covers 932 acres (90% contained) in chaparral with moderate creeping behavior.
Alabama
The Southern Area continues monitoring incident containment in Alabama.
The Ray Coaker fire is fully contained at 707 acres (100% contained) with zero personnel remaining on scene.
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 (Wed Sept 16, 2026), NIFC Fire Information, National Weather Service