After more than two weeks of grueling firefighting, crews have made major progress on the Tartar Fire burning in Washington County, Idaho — north of the town of Weiser — bringing containment to 82% as of August 8, 2026, according to InciWeb. The fire has burned 158,022 acres of tall grass, brush, and timber since igniting on July 24, making it one of the largest individual fires of the 2026 season in the Pacific Northwest.

At its peak of activity in late July and early August, the Tartar Fire was among the most dangerous fires in the nation, prompting the evacuation of residents across Washington County and triggering the closure of US Highway 95 — a critical north-south corridor in western Idaho.

Rapid Growth, Then Gradual Control

The fire’s initial growth was dramatic. It exploded to 94,595 acres within its first week, prompting both Level 2 and Level 3 evacuation orders for communities near Weiser. On the night of August 2, the fire ran 20 miles toward Weiser, impacting structures along US Route 95 and threatening farms and rural residences in the Washington County foothills. Total structural losses are still being assessed.

Containment progress was hard-won. As recently as early August, crews were holding just 11% containment with over 103,000 acres burned. By August 8, 717 firefighting personnel had pushed that figure to 82%.

Firefighting Tactics

Crews used a combination of direct and indirect attack methods to gain the upper hand on the Tartar Fire:

  • Dozer line construction near Mann Creek Reservoir to create defensible fuel breaks
  • Road-anchored fireline work along US-95 and forest roads
  • Aerial retardant drops to slow the fire’s westward progression toward Weiser
  • Backfire operations to eliminate fuels between the fire head and communities
  • Patrols for spot fires outside the main perimeter

Closures and Road Impacts

A forest closure area within the Weiser District of the Payette National Forest remains in effect. Residents and recreationists should check with the forest for current boundaries before entering the area. US Highway 95, which was closed during the fire’s most aggressive run, has since reopened to traffic.

Continued Vigilance Required

With 82% containment, crews are now focused on patrolling for spot fires and mopping up interior hot spots before the fire is fully contained. Fire managers are closely monitoring a new fuels and fire behavior advisory issued by NICC for Southwest Idaho on August 8. Any wind event could reactivate uncontrolled portions of the perimeter, and the area remains under elevated fire weather conditions through the weekend.

For the latest updates, visit the Tartar Fire’s InciWeb page at inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/idbod-tartar.