Idaho Fires

Daily Wildfire Report for Idaho - July 13, 2026

Overview

Idaho is currently experiencing an elevated fire risk driven by a combination of extreme heat, critically low humidity, and highly receptive, dry vegetation across the state. The National Preparedness Level is currently at 4, indicating that national wildland firefighting resources are heavily committed to incidents across the country, particularly in the Great Basin and Rocky Mountain regions.

Current Situation

Fire Activity: Multiple active fires are burning across Idaho, requiring significant local, state, and national support. The combination of lightning strikes and human-caused ignitions has sparked several new fires over the last 72 hours. Firefighters are actively working to contain these blazes, protect threatened structures, and establish control lines while navigating challenging environmental conditions.

Key Fires:

• Claremont Fire: Located in the Boise Foothills (Ada County) about one mile northeast of Boise, this fire has burned over 6,500 acres. Fueled by extremely dry grass and brush, it has threatened numerous structures and energy infrastructure. Evacuation orders were issued for parts of Boise County, including the Rocky Canyon area, and popular recreation areas like the Ridge to Rivers Trail System remain closed. Firefighters have made significant progress, and the fire is currently exhibiting moderate behavior with backing and creeping.
• Maze Fire: Located west of Rexburg, this human-caused fire burned 1,579 acres of dry brush and grass. It prompted temporary evacuations near a local gun range but is now fully contained.
• Reservoir Fire: Burning northwest of Bliss, this fire reached 478 acres before firefighters successfully halted its forward progress using ground crews and aerial water drops. It was fueled by dry grass and dense brush.
• Cow Canyon Fire: Located southeast of Juniper in the Idaho Falls District, this fire is exhibiting active behavior with running through grass and brush. Structures in the area are currently threatened.
• Lampert and Elder Fires: Burning in the Worley area, these two fires are approximately 30 acres each. Several structures are threatened, and crews from the Idaho Department of Lands have established control lines and are working to strengthen them.

Prescribed Burns and Land Management: Due to the extreme heat and dry conditions, burn bans have been implemented across multiple counties, including Butte, Fremont, Bonneville, and Jefferson. These restrictions prohibit campfires, warming fires, and fireworks on private and unincorporated lands. While agencies like the Payette National Forest had planned prescribed burns through July to manage overgrown vegetation, these operations are strictly evaluated against current weather conditions and are often paused during periods of high fire danger.
Air Quality: Smoke from active wildfires, particularly the Claremont Fire and regional fires in the Great Basin, may impact local air quality. Residents in affected areas, especially near Boise and eastern Idaho, should monitor air quality indexes and limit outdoor exposure if smoke becomes heavy.

Weather and Wind Warnings

Current Weather: Idaho is experiencing some of the hottest temperatures of the year, with daytime highs approaching or surpassing 100 degrees Fahrenheit in many areas. This extreme heat is combined with critically low relative humidity dipping down to 10 percent.
Forecasted Weather: Severe Red Flag Warnings are in effect for multiple Fire Weather Zones across Southeastern and Central Idaho (including zones 410, 411, 413, 475, and 476). Gusty southwest winds of 15 to 25 mph, with outflow gusts up to 40 mph, are expected. These high wind gusts, combined with the extreme heat and dry fuels, could cause any existing fires or new starts to spread rapidly.

Recommendations

Public Awareness: Residents are strongly advised to adhere to all local burn bans and fire restrictions. The public should avoid using fireworks, parking vehicles over dry grass, or leaving campfires unattended in areas where they are still permitted. Stay clear of fire zones and do not fly drones near wildfires, as unauthorized flights force firefighters to halt critical aerial operations and delay suppression efforts.
Resource Allocation: With the National Preparedness Level at 4, resources are starting to get stretched thin. Local fire departments, the Idaho Department of Lands, the Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Forest Service are working in unified command on various incidents, utilizing both ground crews and aerial resources (such as helicopters for water bucket drops and planes for fire retardant) to achieve containment.

Resources

For up-to-date emergency information, residents can visit:
National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC): www.nifc.gov
Idaho Department of Lands Fire Information: www.idl.idaho.gov/fire-management
Idaho Office of Emergency Management: ioem.idaho.gov

Stay informed and prepared by monitoring these resources regularly.