Nevada Fires

Daily Wildfire Report for Nevada - August 05, 2026

Overview

Nevada is experiencing an elevated fire risk due to a powerful heat dome that has settled over much of the western United States. Months of warm weather, limited moisture, and significant seasonal drought have left vegetation extremely dry throughout the state, creating a highly volatile environment for wildfires. The current National Preparedness Level for the Great Basin region remains high, indicating that national and regional resources are heavily committed to managing incident objectives.

Current Situation

Fire Activity: There are currently multiple active wildfires burning across Nevada, many of which have seen rapid growth over the last 72 hours due to extreme heat, dry air, and gusty winds. Significant wildland fire activity is occurring in multiple geographic areas, requiring coordinated federal, state, and local support to protect communities and infrastructure. Firefighters are actively working to contain these blazes while navigating dangerous, record-breaking heat conditions.

Key Fires:

• Biscar Fire: Burning across the California-Nevada state line into Washoe County, this fire reached 69,352 acres. Through aggressive suppression efforts, it is now 100% contained.
• Mouse Meadow Fire: Located in Nye County, this fire has rapidly expanded over the last 72 hours to approximately 38,000 acres. It is fueled by extremely dry vegetation, open rangeland, and brush. Firefighters are facing challenging conditions due to hot temperatures, critically low humidity, and gusty winds, which have complicated containment efforts in the rugged terrain.
• New Pass Fire: Currently the third-largest active fire in the state, burning at 30,894 acres.
• Quail Springs Fire: Burning actively and currently mapped at 13,619 acres.
• Ward Fire: Located on Ward Mountain approximately 9 miles south of Ely, this fire has grown to 3,770 acres with 0% containment. It is burning in sagebrush, pinyon-juniper, and mixed conifer fuels. Firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service, Nevada Division of Forestry, and local agencies are managing the incident under full suppression and have been working to hold the lower eastern flank to protect nearby values.

Prescribed Burns and Land Management: According to the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, there are currently no active prescribed burns in the state due to the extreme fire weather. To mitigate the risk of human-caused wildfires, the BLM Nevada State Office has issued a statewide fire prevention order in effect on all Nevada public lands through October 31, 2026. Additionally, Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are actively in place across Southern Nevada to prohibit campfires and other high-risk activities.
Air Quality: Smoke from the large active fires, particularly the Mouse Meadow and Ward fires, is producing visible plumes that may impact local air quality in central and eastern Nevada. Residents in these areas should be aware of changing conditions and use caution if sensitive to smoke.

Weather and Wind Warnings

Current Weather: A persistent heat dome is driving temperatures well above seasonal averages across Nevada. Afternoon relative humidity has fallen into the single digits, allowing fine fuels to dry rapidly each day and supporting extreme fire behavior.
Forecasted Weather: Red Flag Warnings were recently issued for Fire Weather Zone 470 in Eastern Elko County due to critical fire weather conditions. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures will continue to contribute to extreme fire behavior risk across the state. Wind shifts remain one of the greatest concerns for firefighters over the next 72 hours, as gusts can carry embers ahead of existing fires and create spot fires beyond containment lines.

Recommendations

Public Awareness: Residents are advised to be mindful of fire traffic, potential smoke impacts, and rapidly changing evacuation warnings. It is crucial to have an emergency "Go Bag" prepared and an evacuation route planned. Ensure vehicles are parked facing the roadway and avoid any outdoor activities that could create a spark, such as target shooting or dragging trailer chains.
Resource Allocation: Firefighters are working under challenging conditions with extreme heat and rugged terrain. Agencies are prioritizing full suppression on fires threatening communities and infrastructure, while actively enforcing statewide fire restrictions to prevent new ignitions.

Resources

For up-to-date emergency information, residents can visit:
National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC): www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn
Nevada Wildfire Information Dashboard: https://www.arcgis.com/
Nevada Division of Forestry: forestry.nv.gov

Stay informed and prepared by monitoring these resources regularly.