A series of wildfires have been burning throughout the U.S. state of Nevada. There have been two fatalities and nine injuries.
Background
The typical fire season in Nevada lasts from May to October, the time when vegetation is the driest. However, the timing varies every year based on a number of other factors, including if there is hot, dry weather, the amount of dry vegetation, and when there are more natural causes possible, such as lightning. The peak time of the season is also determined by these factors. Historically, wildfire severity has increased due to large amounts of dry fuel, and acreage typically increases in drought-like and heavy precipitation years.
Summary Preseason conditions and outlook Nevada experienced record low snowpack levels after the 2025–26 winter, with many measuring cites in Northern and Eastern Nevada recording all snow melted between one and two months before normal. Significant snowpack was only noted in areas above in elevation in early June. The snowmelt in lower elevations exposed vegetation fuel. Significant drought throughout the state has dried those fuels out, with all areas of the state reported to be at least "abnormally dry" in early June. Humidity levels have been dropping into the single digits, further drying vegetation. Above-average temperatures have been reported in Western Nevada, with low temperatures and high temperatures potentially reaching triple digits, as forecasts predicted extreme temperatures to last through August. The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) has reported wildfire risk for Southern Nevada in June and wildfire potential across Northern Nevada in July and August.
Events Dry thunderstorms occurred in Lincoln County in mid–June, igniting the Grapevine and Kane Springs fires south of Caliente. The Grapevine Fire prompted level one "ready" evacuations in Washington County, Utah. The fires spread rapidly due to strong winds and low relative humidity. Lightning sparked the Dry Canyon and Parsnip Peak fires in Lincoln County on July 9, driven by low humidity, strong winds, and extremely dry vegetation. Five large wildfires ignited across Northern and Southern Nevada in late July: the Mouse Meadows and Quail Springs fires in Nevada Test and Training Range, the New Pass Fire northwest of Austin, the Chimney Fire in western Elko County, and the Secret Pass Fire in Ruby Mountain State Recreation Area.
On August 8, the Bug Fire ignited in Lassen County, California, rapidly spreading into Sierra and Washoe counties, prompting evacuations. The Fred Mountain Fire ignited a day later. It also caused evacuations and power outages that overlapped with the Bug Fire. The Stallion Fire, which started on August 10 and south of Pyramid Lake, closed the lake and prompted evacuation orders and warnings in and west of Nixon. On August 10, Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency for the Bug and Fred Mountain fires; the Fred Mountain Fire merged with the Bug Fire on August 11. A woman was arrested for third–degree arson and possession of a controlled substance after admitting to authorities she started the Fred Mountain Fire. While evacuating from the Bug Fire on August 12, an elderly couple was injured. The wife with Parkinson's disease died on August 15 from severe burns and smoke inhalation. Overall, the two wildfires have forced evacuations for 5,000 to over 6,000 residents and 300 large animals, caused power outages for up to 6,400 customers, and destroyed nine residential structures.
On August 22, the Hawk Fire started in Humboldt–Toiyabe National Forest near Peavine Peak from human origin. U.S. Route 395 was closed and approximately 59,000 NV Energy customers lost power on August 22. Reno Stead Airport temporarily closed to all operations aside from firefighting aircraft. Three civilians and three firefighters were injured, and an 83–year–old woman died from burns and smoke inhalation. Up to 42,000 residents were under evacuation orders and another 45,000 were in evacuation warning zones. The Hawk Fire destroyed 48 structures and damaged eight, making it the most destructive wildfire in Nevada history.
The Floriston Fire that burned near Floriston, California, started on September 16. The Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District assumed control of the fire in conjunction with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), California Highway Patrol (CHP), and the United States Forest Service. While the fire burned entirely in Nevada County, California and prompted evacuation orders only in California, evacuation warnings were issued near Verdi and westbound Interstate 80 was closed due to rockfalls. The fire burned and was fully contained on September 24. J Resort, Silver Legacy Resort and Casino, Eldorado Resort Casino, Circus Circus Reno, and the Grand Sierra Resort offered discounted room rates to evacuees. The Northern Nevada Public Health Air Quality Management Division issued an air quality alert in and around Verdi as air quality reached unhealthy for sensitive groups with an air quality index measure of 109.
List of wildfires
The following is a list of fires that burned more than , produced significant structural damage, or resulted in casualties. NameCountyAcresStart dateContainment dateNotesImageRef.QuartzPershingUnknown cause. Burned in Dun Glen Canyon in Imlay. Threatened structures.EgbertsElkoCaused by an agricultural burn that escaped containment lines. Burned near Clover Valley southwest of Wells. 14 firefighters were treated at a local hospital after contracting an allergic reaction of an unknown source.NavatoWashoeCause under investigation. Burned in Sparks. Prompted evacuations and caused power outages for nearly 70,000 customers.GrapevineLincolnLightning-caused. Burned in Clover Mountain Wilderness Area and showed extreme fire behavior. Prompting level one evacuations in Washington County, Utah and closed Beaver Dam State Park.Kane SpringsLincolnLightning-caused. Burning southwest of Caliente and spread to the northeast.ShysterHumboldtLightning-caused. Burning off State Route 140 south of Denio and forward progress stopped. Threatened energy infrastructure.Dry CanyonLincolnLightning-caused. Burned east of Ursine.Parsnip PeakLincolnLightning-caused. Burned in Parsnip Peak Wilderness.Dutch FlatHumboldtBurned northeast of Winnemucca.18 MileElkoLightning-caused. Burned north of Montello.Little CottonwoodEurekaBurned in Crescent Valley.Mouse MeadowNyeLightning-caused. Burned in Nevada Test and Training Range southwest of Rachel.Quail SpringsLincolnLightning-caused. Burned in Nevada Test and Training Range, southwest of Crystal Springs.Secret PassElkoLightning-caused. Burned northeast of State Route 229.ChimneyElkoBurned north of Midas near Little Humboldt Wilderness Study Area.New PassChurchill, LanderLightning-caused. Burned northwest of Austin. Forward progress stopped on August 9.WardWhite PineLightning-caused. Burned on Ward Mountain in Humboldt–Toiyabe National Forest.Antelope CreekElkoBurned southeast of Midas.BugWashoe, Lassen (CA), Sierra (CA)Cause under investigation. Ignited in and spread over from California and burned in Cold Springs. Prompted evacuations for over 3,800 residences. Merged with the Fred Mountain Fire on August 11, which prompted evacuations and caused power outages. Destroyed nine structures and caused one fatality and three injuries.StallionWashoeBurned south of Pyramid Lake. Closed the lake and State Route 446. Prompted evacuations.ShoshoneChurchillLightning-caused. Burned northeast of Fallon in the Clan Alpine Mountains.HawkWashoeHuman-caused, specifics under investigation. Prompted evacuation orders for 42,000 residents in Reno near Peavine Peak. Caused power outages for approximately 59,000 customers. Most destructive wildfire in Nevada history; destroyed 48 structures and caused six injuries and one fatality.SombreroHumboldtLightning-caused. Burned northwest of Winnemucca.OxleyElkoLightning-caused. Threatened approximately 15 structures north of Wells.S–1 VyaWashoeCause under investigation. Burned northwest of Vya and prompting evacuations.McConnellHumboldtLightning-caused. Burning east of Orovada and prompted evacuation warnings.Blue EagleChurchillLightning-caused. Burned near the Clan Alpine Mountains.CalicoHumboldtBurned north of Forks Ranch.BullWashoeCause currently unknown. Burning north of Verdi into the Hawk Fire burn scar, prompted evacuation warnings in Verdi, Mogul, and the Somersett neighborhood. Closing Verdi Elementary School.JonesElkoBurning in Deeth, prompting evacuation warnings.
See also 2026 Arizona wildfires 2026 California wildfires 2026 Idaho wildfires 2026 Oregon wildfires 2026 United States wildfires 2026 Utah wildfires Wildfires in 2026
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