Nevada Fires

Daily Wildfire Report for Nevada - May 14, 2026

Overview

Nevada is entering its peak fire season with an elevated fire risk due to warmer-than-normal temperatures, extremely low humidity, and an abundance of carryover fine fuels from previous seasons. A lack of snowpack in several river basins across the state has accelerated the drying of vegetation, leading to earlier-than-normal seasonal drying. May is recognized as Nevada Wildfire Awareness Month, and interagency resources are proactively preparing for what is expected to be a highly active summer fire season.

Current Situation

Fire Activity: Over the last 72 hours, large-scale wildland fire activity has remained manageable, with initial attack crews successfully suppressing smaller starts. However, the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) outlook indicates that the potential for new significant wildfires is expanding to above normal for southern Nevada. Firefighters remain on high alert due to the combination of dry lightning potential and human activity.

Key Fires:
Currently, there are no large, uncontained mega-fires threatening communities in Nevada over the last 72 hours. Firefighters are actively patrolling and responding to smaller ignitions. The primary fuels of concern feeding current fire risks are carryover fine fuels, particularly invasive cheatgrass and dried brush in the lower elevations, which are highly susceptible to rapid ignition and spread under current conditions.

Prescribed Burns and Land Management:

• Prescribed Burns: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is conducting prescribed fires on Eleven Mile Flat, approximately 26 miles north of Battle Mountain. These operations, scheduled to continue through May 30, 2026, are designed to reduce the accumulation of tumbleweeds along fence lines, improve wildlife habitat, and decrease the risk of damaging wildland fires.
• Burn Bans and Restrictions: A sweeping BLM Fire Prevention Order went into effect on May 1, 2026, covering nearly 48 million acres of BLM-managed public lands in Nevada. The order strictly prohibits the possession or use of fireworks, pyrotechnic devices, exploding targets, tracer ammunition, and the operation of combustion engines without properly installed spark arrestors.
• Utility Mitigation: NV Energy is executing its Natural Disaster Protection Plan, focusing on vegetation management near overhead power lines in high-risk areas across northern Nevada and the Spring Mountains. The utility is prepared to implement Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) during extreme wind events to prevent infrastructure-ignited wildfires.

Weather and Wind Warnings

Current Weather: Warmer-than-normal temperatures and critically low daytime relative humidities (dropping to the single digits and low teens) are present across the state.
Forecasted Weather: Red Flag Warnings and critical fire weather conditions are in effect for portions of southern and western Nevada over the next 72 hours. A combination of gusty southwest winds (15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph), bone-dry fuels, and warm temperatures will create volatile fire behavior potential. Strong outflow winds and isolated dry lightning strikes are also possible, which could ignite new fires and cause them to spread rapidly.

Recommendations

Public Awareness: Residents and visitors are urged to strictly adhere to the BLM Fire Prevention Order and check local restrictions before recreating on public lands. With May being Nevada Wildfire Awareness Month, residents should take this time to clear dead brush and vegetation from their properties to create defensible space and ensure emergency "go bags" are prepared.
Resource Allocation: In anticipation of an active season, wildland fire agencies are bringing on additional fire crews and aircraft earlier in the year. Collaborative efforts between state and federal agencies are focused on rapid initial attack to keep new starts as small as possible.

Resources

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

Stay informed and prepared by monitoring these resources regularly.