Indiana Fires

Daily Wildfire Report for Indiana - August 14, 2026

Overview

Indiana's immediate wildfire risk is currently minimal due to severe weather that has impacted the region over the last 72 hours. A powerful storm system, exhibiting derecho-like characteristics, swept through the state bringing heavy rainfall, flash flooding, and extreme winds. While this precipitation has thoroughly saturated the environment and mitigated active fire threats, the storms have caused widespread tree damage. This newly accumulated dead timber and brush will serve as heavy fuel loads that could pose a future fire risk once weather conditions dry out.

Current Situation

Fire Activity: Over the last 72 hours, wildland fire activity across Indiana has been negligible. Local rural and volunteer fire departments—which typically suppress about 95% of the state's wildland fires—are currently heavily committed to severe weather recovery, power outage management, and flood response rather than wildland firefighting.

Key Fires:
There are currently no significant active wildfires burning in Indiana. The recent torrential downpours have significantly raised fuel moisture levels, preventing fire spread in typical surface fuels such as grasses, leaf litter, and understory brush.

Prescribed Burns and Land Management: The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) continues to promote prescribed fire as an efficient tool to manage wildlife habitat, promote ecosystem health, and reduce hazardous fuel loads. Interest in Prescribed Burn Associations (PBAs) is growing across the state, allowing private landowners to share expertise, labor, and equipment. While one PBA is already established in Daviess County, interest meetings for two more in Brown and Harrison counties are on the calendar for the fall of 2026. All current prescribed burning activities are paused due to the wet conditions.

Air Quality: Air quality across the state remains generally good at the surface, as the widespread rain has cleared most local particulate matter. While some high-altitude smoke from western U.S. wildfires may cause hazy skies, it is not expected to mix down to the surface or cause local health impacts.

Weather and Wind Warnings

Current Weather: Over the past 72 hours, Indiana has experienced extreme weather, including severe thunderstorms and torrential rainfall. Wind gusts reached up to 99 mph in areas like Gary, Indiana, leading to widespread power outages and significant tree damage across Lake, Porter, and surrounding counties.
Forecasted Weather: Humid conditions, accompanied by occasional chances of showers and thunderstorms, will continue to deter any fire weather concerns through the weekend. There are currently no Red Flag Warnings or elevated fire weather warnings in effect for Indiana.

Recommendations

Public Awareness: Residents are advised to prioritize storm recovery and flood safety. As cleanup efforts begin, landowners should be mindful of the downed trees and brush on their properties. Properly clearing and managing this debris now will reduce the risk of fast-moving surface fires when a drying trend eventually returns.
Resource Allocation: Local fire departments and emergency management agencies are currently focused on severe weather impacts. The DNR Division of Forestry continues to support these local agencies through cooperative mutual aid agreements, ensuring that life, property, and natural resources remain protected across the state's wildland-urban interfaces.

Resources

For up-to-date emergency information, residents can visit:
National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC): www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn
Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS): www.in.gov/dhs
Indiana Department of Natural Resources - Forestry: www.in.gov/dnr/forestry

Stay informed and prepared by monitoring these resources regularly.