Nevada Fires

Daily Wildfire Report for Nevada - May 11, 2026

Overview

Nevada is facing an elevated wildfire threat as the state transitions into an early fire season. Driven by historically low snowpack in certain regions—with some river basins holding less than 50% of their average snow water equivalent—early melt-off, and a warm winter, the landscape is experiencing conditions that are priming native vegetation for potential ignitions. The current National Preparedness Level is 2, indicating that while local and geographic resources are managing current incidents, national resources are heavily committed to supporting broader efforts across the country.

Current Situation

Fire Activity: Currently, wildland fire activity in Nevada is primarily limited to smaller initial attacks. Firefighters are successfully containing these smaller starts before they grow into significant incidents. Over the last 72 hours, there have been no large, uncontained mega-fires reported within the state. However, the potential for new wildfires to start and spread quickly remains a concern due to the critically dry conditions and high winds.

Key Fires:

• Wheeler Fire: Located in Clark County, this human-caused fire is currently the largest active start, measured at 22.0 acres. It is burning in dry desert brush and dormant grasses.
• Middle Gate Fire: Located in Churchill County, this human-caused fire is currently 4.71 acres.
• Sunset Fire: Located in Clark County, this fire is currently measured at 1.5 acres. The cause is undetermined, and it is primarily fueled by dry native brush.
• Basalite Fire: Located in Storey County, this human-caused fire is currently 0.5 acres and is being swiftly managed by local resources.

Prescribed Burns and Land Management: Agencies across Nevada are actively conducting land management activities to mitigate future wildfire risks. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Ely District is conducting prescribed burning of slash piles and scattered slash on public lands in White Pine and Lincoln Counties. Additionally, the Carson City District BLM is burning 209 acres of slash piles along upper Sunrise Pass Road in the Pinenut Mountains (Douglas County) to create a strategic roadside fuel break. In the Lake Tahoe Basin, prescribed fire operations are ongoing to restore ecosystem health and protect communities from catastrophic wildfires.
Burn Bans: The BLM Nevada has issued a new Fire Prevention Order effective May 1, 2026, prohibiting fireworks, explosives, incendiary ammunition, and the operation of engines without spark arrestors on BLM-managed lands. Furthermore, the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District has officially prohibited pile burning, and Pahrump's controlled burn season will end on May 15, with a local burn moratorium going into effect on May 16.

Weather and Wind Warnings

Current Weather: Conditions across much of Nevada are sunny and dry, with temperatures warming into the 70s and 80s and low humidity levels hovering between 15% and 19%.
Forecasted Weather: A hot, dry, and breezy pattern is taking hold through early this week as high pressure builds across the desert southwest. Elevated fire weather concerns are present as temperatures warm 15 to 20 degrees above normal. West-southwesterly afternoon breezes are expected with gusts around 20 mph. This will combine with minimum afternoon relative humidity values of less than 15%, leading to the accelerated drying of fuels.

Recommendations

Public Awareness: Residents are advised to be mindful of fire traffic and potential smoke impacts from prescribed burns. With the new fire restrictions in place, it is crucial to check specific local regulations for the area you plan to explore. Residents should have an emergency plan in place and clear dead brush from properties to reduce the risk of catastrophic fires.
Resource Allocation: While local and geographic resources are currently managing incidents effectively, agencies are actively training for increased fire risk and conducting critical fuel mitigation projects to clear high-risk areas before the peak of the season.

Resources

For up-to-date emergency information, residents can visit:
National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC): www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn
Nevada Fire Info: www.nevadafireinfo.org

Stay informed and prepared by monitoring these resources regularly.