National Fire News

August 5, 2026

Yesterday, 97 new fires were reported nationwide, including three new large fires. Firefighters are currently working to contain 94 uncontained large fires across the country. There are more than 28,700 personnel assigned to incidents nationwide. So far in Fire Year 2026, firefighters have responded to 45,184 wildfires that have burned more than 5.4 million acres across the United States.

The Northwest continues to experience the nation's highest wildfire activity, with 49 uncontained large fires burning across Washington and Oregon. Firefighters remain engaged on numerous incidents threatening homes, communities and critical infrastructure, with evacuations and road closures in effect across the region. In Washington, the Sinlahekin Fire has grown to more than 117,000 acres, while the Little Giant Fire has surpassed 70,000 acres, both exhibiting extreme fire behavior. Oregon's Big Grass, Coleman Creek and Rowe Creek Complex remain among the nation's largest active incidents as firefighters continue protecting communities and infrastructure.

Fire activity also remains elevated across the Great Basin and Northern Rockies. The Widemouth 2 Fire in Utah grew by more than 16,000 acres yesterday, while the Tartar Fire in Idaho exceeded 138,000 acres. In Nevada, the Ward Fire continues to exhibit extreme fire behavior, and a new large fire, the Cascade Fire, was reported in Idaho.

National firefighting resources remain heavily committed, with 27 Complex Incident Management Teams, one National Incident Management Organization, international firefighters from Australia and New Zealand, and four MAFFS C-130 airtankers supporting suppression efforts across the country.

Predictive Services forecasts another day of hot, dry and windy conditions across much of the West. Low relative humidity, gusty winds and temperatures approaching 100°F across portions of the Northwest and continuing extreme heat across California, the Great Basin, Southwest and southern Plains will support elevated fire potential. Isolated dry thunderstorms are also possible across northern New Mexico and southern Colorado.