Idaho is battling 12 large wildfires as of September 5, 2026, with significant clusters of activity in two primary areas: the Idaho Panhandle in the far north and the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest complex along the Lochsa River corridor. Several fires have near-zero containment, reflecting ongoing challenges for incident management teams working in rugged, heavily forested terrain.

Nez Perce-Clearwater: Multiple Fires Near Lowell

Multiple fires are burning in close proximity in the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, approximately 19–20 miles east of Lowell along the Lochsa River corridor:

  • The Cascade Fire has burned 7,475 acres with 50 percent containment. (208-935-6134)
  • The Moose Mountain Fire, approximately 4 miles north of Kelly Forks Campground, has burned 5,832 acres with only 8 percent containment — reflecting steep terrain and active fire behavior. (208-935-6134)
  • The Grotto Fire, 20 miles east of Lowell, has burned 3,849 acres with 0 percent containment.
  • The Three Links Fire, also in the area east of Lowell, has burned 790 acres with 0 percent containment.
  • The Wolf Creek Fire, 19 miles east of Lowell, has burned 2,280 acres with 25 percent containment. (208-634-0820)

The proximity of these fires to one another has led fire managers to share resources across incidents. All fires are burning in steep, heavily forested terrain where direct suppression is often not feasible and aerial resources play a critical role.

Idaho Panhandle National Forest

Northern Idaho’s Panhandle is dealing with several fires across Bonner and Shoshone Counties:

  • The Parker Lake Fire, burning in Long Creek Canyon about 20 miles northwest of Bonners Ferry in the Kootenai River Valley, has burned 1,429 acres with 0 percent containment. (208-295-5495)
  • The Silver Fire, on the southeast side of Silver Dollar Peak near Roman Nose, has burned 2,545 acres with 0 percent containment. (208-266-5956)
  • The Porcupine Fire, approximately 7 miles northeast of Clark Fork, has burned 180 acres with 0 percent containment. (208-557-8813)
  • The Dudley Fire, 5 miles north of Wallace, has burned 800 acres and is 88 percent contained — the most progress of any Panhandle fire. (208-557-8813)
  • The Upper Smith Fire, 6 miles west of Porthill, has burned 4,808 acres with 42 percent containment. (208-295-5495)

Boise National Forest: Crooked Fire

The Crooked Fire on the Boise National Forest, 14 miles northeast of Idaho City along the North Fork of the Boise River, has burned 10,006 acres and remains only 30 percent contained. The fire has been challenging due to difficult terrain and proximity to popular recreation areas. Fire information: 208-264-4469.

Weather and Outlook

Firefighters in northern Idaho and the Clearwater region are seeing some relief as a cooler, wetter weather pattern arrives across the broader Pacific Northwest. However, fire managers caution that fuels remain critically dry across much of the region, and fire behavior can reactivate rapidly during any warming trend. All area closures remain in effect, and public access to affected drainages is restricted until further notice. Check with individual national forest offices before attempting access to recreation areas near active fires.