Biscar

Biscar Fire Report - July 25, 2026

Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The Biscar Fire ignited shortly before noon on Saturday, July 18, 2026, approximately 40 miles northeast of Susanville, near Snowstorm Road and Vincent Canyon in Lassen County, California.
Size and Containment: As of July 25, 2026, the fire has burned approximately 69,355 acres and is 89% contained.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: Burning primarily through grass and sagebrush with heavier fuels in riparian areas, the fire grew rapidly in its initial days. Driven by warm temperatures and strong winds, it expanded eastward across U.S. Highway 395 and crossed the state line into Washoe County, Nevada. The fire has exhibited active behavior, including wind-driven runs and short-range spotting during the afternoon hours.
Containment Efforts: The response is being managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) - Northern California and California Complex Incident Management Team 3, with nearly 500 personnel assigned. Firefighters are utilizing direct extinguishment, mop-up operations, and reinforcement of containment lines along the western flank from Vincent Springs to Secret Creek. Dozers, engines, and hand crews are building lines along old roadbeds, ridges, and natural barriers, while large air tankers have been dropping retardant to slow the fire's eastern spread.

Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: In Lassen County, previous evacuation orders have largely been reduced to warnings as containment increases. However, in neighboring Washoe County, Nevada, Level 3 (Go Now) evacuation orders have been issued for portions of the central county.
Evacuation Warnings: Evacuation warnings remain in effect for Lassen County zones LAS-543, LAS-545, LAS-551-A, LAS-551-B, LAS-551-C, LAS-553, and LAS-555. Washoe County has Level 2 (Set) warnings in place.
Curfew: No curfews have been reported at this time.
Evacuation Shelters and Information: The Lassen County Sheriff's Office is providing shelter information and emergency updates. Residents can call (530) 254-4500 for sheltering assistance.

Road and Infrastructure Closures:

• U.S. Highway 395 was previously closed from Smoke Creek Road to Termo Grasshopper Road but has since reopened. Drivers should expect alternating one-way controlled traffic and are urged to use extreme caution due to active firefighting equipment and personnel in the area.
• The Bureau of Land Management has instituted a temporary closure of public lands near Snowstorm Road and Vincent Canyon northeast of Susanville to ensure safety during wildland firefighting operations.

For more information, visit:

• Inciweb - Biscar Fire Information
• CAL FIRE Incidents Page
• Lassen County Sheriff's Office Facebook

Current Impact

Impacts:
Injuries and Fatalities: There are no reported injuries or fatalities associated with the Biscar Fire at this time.
Structures Impacted: While no structures have been reported destroyed, several buildings and historic ranches have been threatened by the fire. The fire has also threatened local sage grouse habitats, private property, and tribal communities.
School and Business Closures: No specific school or business closures have been reported.
Notable Impacts: The fire's rapid spread across the Highway 395 corridor and into Nevada has disrupted travel and impacted rural communities and agricultural lands on both sides of the border.

Safety Concerns:
Power Outages: No significant power outages have been reported in connection with this fire.
Water Safety: No specific water safety concerns have been reported, but residents should monitor local advisories.
Burn Bans: Seasonal fire restrictions went into effect on July 15 on BLM-managed public lands in Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Sierra, Siskiyou, and Shasta counties in California, as well as Washoe County, Nevada. These restrictions strictly ban campfires and barbecues outside of designated areas.
Air Quality: Smoke from the Biscar Fire is significantly affecting air quality in the region. Residents are advised to stay indoors, shut windows and doors, and set HVAC systems to recirculate to minimize smoke exposure.

Ongoing Outlook

Containment Projections: Firefighters have made significant progress over the last 72 hours, jumping to 89% containment. Crews will continue to improve and reinforce containment lines on the southern (Rush Creek) and eastern (Smoke Creek) flanks. However, containment efforts remain challenged by critical fire weather conditions.
Weather and Wind Warnings: The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning and a Fire Weather Watch for parts of northeast California and northwest Nevada. Conditions are expected to be hot, very dry, and windy through the weekend. Forecasters anticipate southwest winds of 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph, alongside afternoon humidity levels dropping as low as 6% to 9%. There is also a potential for thunderstorms with lightning, which could spur erratic fire behavior.

Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate

Cause: The cause of the Biscar Fire remains under investigation.
Weather and Climate: The fire's rapid growth has been heavily fueled by extreme fire weather conditions typical of the region's changing climate. Hot temperatures, critically low relative humidity (6-9%), and strong, gusty southwest winds have dried out the grass and sagebrush, turning them into highly volatile fuels. These persistent dry and windy conditions have exacerbated the fire's spread and intensity, making initial containment efforts highly challenging.

For more information, visit:

• Inciweb - Biscar Fire Information
• CAL FIRE Incidents Page
• Lassen County Sheriff's Office Facebook