Idaho is currently managing 10 large wildfires, concentrated heavily in the central and northern parts of the state. The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests have become the primary battleground, with four separate fires burning in close proximity along the Lochsa and Selway river drainages. Here is a full rundown of Idaho's active large fire incidents as of August 24, 2026.

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests Complex

The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests are facing simultaneous pressure from four large fires in the rugged wilderness of north-central Idaho:

  • Cascade Fire: 4,100 acres, 50% contained — located 22 miles east of Lowell. Contact: 208-935-6134.
  • Moose Mountain Fire: 3,841 acres, 8% containment — approximately 4 miles north of Kelly Forks Campground. This fire is an active suppression concern. Contact: 208-935-6134.
  • Grotto Fire: 1,000 acres, 0% containment — 20 miles east of Lowell. Active and not yet engaged with containment lines.
  • Three Links Fire: 510 acres, 0% containment — 20 miles east of Lowell, in close proximity to the Grotto Fire.

The clustering of fires in the Nez Perce-Clearwater is complicating incident management, as crews must navigate extremely remote terrain accessible only by trail or helicopter. The Forest Service has prioritized protecting developed recreation facilities and the remote Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness areas.

Idaho Panhandle: Porcupine and Upper Smith Fires

In northern Idaho's panhandle region, two fires are actively burning:

  • Porcupine Fire: 130 acres, 0% containment — approximately 7 miles northeast of Clark Fork on the Idaho Panhandle National Forest. Contact: 208-557-8813.
  • Upper Smith Fire: 4,221 acres, 38% containment — 6 miles west of Porthill, Idaho, near the Canadian border. Contact: 208-295-5495.

South-Central and Eastern Idaho

Several fires are burning in lower-elevation rangeland and forest terrain across south-central and eastern Idaho:

  • Crooked Fire: 1,530 acres, 0% containment — Boise National Forest, 14 miles northeast of Idaho City along the north fork of the Boise River. Contact: 208-264-4469.
  • Doublesprings Fire: 1,779 acres, 18% containment — Salmon-Challis National Forest, 31 miles northwest of Mackay.
  • North Heglar Fire: 1,844 acres, 73% containment — Cassia County, 33 miles southwest of Pocatello.
  • Shale Butte Fire: 1,500 acres, 40% containment — BLM Twin Falls District, 10 miles northwest of Kimama.

Big Grass Fire Spans OR-ID Border

Idaho's Owyhee County is also part of the Big Grass Fire footprint, which has burned 578,637 acres total across Malheur County, Oregon, and Owyhee County, Idaho. The fire is now 93% contained and managed jointly by BLM Vale District and BLM Idaho teams.

Residents of Clearwater, Idaho, Lemhi, Cassia, and Twin Falls counties should monitor local emergency management notifications and be prepared to act quickly if evacuation orders are issued. For current incident information, visit inciweb.wildfire.gov.