Governor Brad Little has signed a state disaster emergency declaration for Idaho, citing extreme drought conditions, a surge of dry lightning strikes, and human-caused ignitions as the driving factors behind an extraordinarily active 2026 fire season. Twelve large fires are currently burning across the state, stretching firefighting resources thin and prompting evacuations in multiple counties.

Statewide fire activity is running well above the 10-year national average, with hundreds of thousands of acres burned across Idaho's national forests, rangelands, and rural communities. All active fires are being managed under full suppression strategies, with firefighter and public safety as the top priority.

Key Active Fires in Idaho

  • Big Grass Fire (approx. 578,000 acres, near containment) — Straddling the Idaho-Oregon border, this is the largest active fire in the region. Fueled by dry rangeland grasses and brush, crews are nearing containment on this historic blaze.
  • Wildhorse Fire (50,000 acres, 10% contained) — Located in Lincoln County about 10 miles north of Kimama, this lightning-caused fire crossed Highway 26 and is burning through dry vegetation at a rapid pace. Lincoln and Blaine County residents are under a Level 2 "Be Set" evacuation status. Authorities warn conditions could change rapidly.
  • Flint Fire (6,497 acres, 0% contained) — Burning 45 miles southwest of Nampa in Owyhee County, the Flint Fire has prompted officials to expand evacuation orders, placing Silver City under a Level 2 evacuation notice.
  • Crooked Fire (4,927 acres, 0% contained) — Located 14 miles northeast of Idaho City in the Boise National Forest along the North Fork of the Boise River, this fire has prompted evaluation of area closures north of Crouch and east of Cascade.
  • Moose Mountain Fire (4,789 acres, 8% contained) — Burning approximately 4 miles north of Kelly Forks Campground in the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests.
  • Upper Smith Fire (4,576 acres, 36% contained) — Located 6 miles west of Porthill in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest.
  • Cascade Fire (4,100 acres, 50% contained) — Burning 22 miles east of Lowell in the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests.
  • Cave Fire (1,500 acres, 0% contained) — A human-caused fire ignited August 26 in Ada County, exhibiting extreme fire behavior driven by short dry grass. Rapid spread potential remains high.
  • Silver Fire (314 acres, 0% contained) — A new start on the southeast side of Silver Dollar Peak near Roman Nose in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest, reported August 27.

Restrictions and Forest Closures

Forest officials in the Boise National Forest are evaluating closure orders for areas north of Crouch, east of Cascade, and north of Ola, including numerous recreation sites. Stage 2 fire restrictions are in effect across the Coeur d'Alene Fire Restriction Area and portions of southern Idaho. The public is urged to avoid all outdoor burning, secure trailer chains to prevent dragging sparks, and stay off dry grass with vehicles.

Weather Outlook

A Red Flag Warning has been in effect for southwest Idaho's Owyhee Mountains and Fire Weather Zone 423, with southwest winds sustaining at 15 to 25 mph and gusting to 35 mph, combined with relative humidity dropping to 9 to 19 percent. Temperatures are running between 85 and 93 degrees across the fire zones. A meaningful moisture increase is forecast for Friday and Saturday, bringing the possibility of wetting rains — a welcome change but one that also carries renewed dry lightning risk in the short term.