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Bug Fire

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Bug Fire
Part of the 2026 California and Nevada wildfire seasons
Refer to caption
Aerial view of the Bug Fire on August 10
Date
  • August 8, 2026 (4 days ago) (2026-08-08)
LocationWashoe County, Nevada and Lassen and Sierra County, California
Coordinates39°43′22″N 120°02′12″W / 39.7229°N 120.0366°W / 39.7229; -120.0366
Statistics
Perimeter4% contained
Burned area61,803 acres (25,011 ha)
Impacts
Deaths0
Injuries1 civilian
1 firefighter
Evacuated5,000 – >6,000[a]
Structures destroyedMultiple
Ignition
CauseHuman[b]
Map

Map of the Bug Fire, early morning on August 11

The Bug Fire is an active wildfire burning in Washoe County, Nevada and Lassen and Sierra County, California. The fire ignited on August 8, 2026 from human origin in Lassen County near the California Agricultural Inspection Station Long Valley of U.S. Route 395 and, driven by strong winds and dry vegetation, spread into Sierra County and crossed the state line into Nevada. The fire is causing power outages, prompting evacuations, destroyed several structures, and caused two injuries. As of 11 August 2026, the Bug Fire has burned 61,803 acres (25,011 ha) and is 4% contained.

Cause

[edit]

Resources began responding to the Bug Fire at 3:30 pm, near the California Agricultural Inspection Station in Long Valley, reported at 10–20 acres (4.0–8.1 ha) and spreading east.[1][2] Officials have confirmed the blaze is human–caused, however, investigations into the exact cause are underway.[3]

The Fred Mountain Fire that merged with the Bug Fire on August 11 was ignited by arson. A 47–year–old woman confessed to starting several fires in the region, including the Fred Mountain Fire, and was arrested on August 11 for third degree arson and possession of a controlled substance.[4]

Progression

[edit]

An evacuation warning was soon issued in southern Lassen County to the Nevada state line; it was upgraded to an evacuation order roughly 20 minutes later. An evacuation warning was issued in Sierra County from the Sierra–Lassen county line to where U.S. Route 395 enters California from Nevada. Evacuations were soon ordered in and north of Cold Springs, Nevada.[1] The fire grew to 800 acres (320 ha) that evening, later mapped at 2,467 acres (998 ha).[5] Further evacuations were issued in the Silver Knolls neighborhood. The evacuation center was moved from North Valleys Library to Evelyn Mount Community Center. California Highway Patrol partially reopend U.S. Route 395 near the California–Nevada state line to one–way traffic. The Bug Fire was 4,182 acres (1,692 ha).[6][7] As the fire grew to 6,528 acres (2,642 ha) by 11 pm, Nevada Highway Patrol closed the White Lake Parkway and Village Parkway exits off U.S. Route 395.[4]

Evacuations grew throughout the night, particularly around Cold Springs and Stead.[5] Evacuation warnings were slightly expanded in Washoe County[1] and entirely lifted in California,[8] and containment reached 20%.[9] Nevada National Guard activated aerial firefighting resources. Despite this, fire activity abruptly increased, spreading to 11,405 acres (4,615 ha) and containment fell to 3% that evening,[4] driven by westerly winds.[10] The Bug Fire grew to 15,000 acres (6,100 ha) that night[11] after several long runs ranging from three–six miles (4.8–9.7 km).[4]

Overnight, the fire pushed south towards the Hungry Valley community of Reno-Sparks Indian Colony.[1] Washoe County School District closed eight schools on August 10: Spanish Springs, Desert Heights, Silver Lake, Lemmon Valley, Alice Taylor, and Jesse Hall elementary schools, Shaw Middle School, and Spanish Springs High School.[12] The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized emergency funds for the state of Nevada during suppression efforts.[13] Additional evacuation warnings and orders were issued in northern Red Rock throughout the day.[1] Acreage and containment increased to 17,000 acres (6,900 ha) and 4%, respectively. Governor Joe Lombardo issued a state of emergency that noted Washoe County's emergency declaration and the Reno–Sparks Indian Colony declaring a tribal emergency. Evacuation warnings largely expanded that evening.[4]

The Washoe County School District closed the eight schools again for August 11, along with Natchez Elementary School.[14] That morning, the Fred Mountain Fire merged into the Bug Fire; the blaze was now 44,304 acres (17,929 ha).[15] Evacuation warnings[16] and orders were issued in Spanish Springs. Evacuation notices expanded throughout the day.[4] The Bug Fire continued spreading and is now 61,803 acres (25,011 ha).[1]

Effects

[edit]
Smoke clouds from the Bug Fire over the Truckee Meadows on August 8

The Bug Fire has destroyed several residential structures, however, the exact number is unknown as official damage assessments are still underway.[16] In total, the Bug Fire is threatening approximately 1,800 residential structures.[17] Between 5,000[18] and over 6,000 residents have been evacuated.[4] One firefighter and one civilian were injured. They have been released from hospitals.[16]

Power outages have impacted up to 6,400 NV Energy customers.[19] The Washoe County School District closed eight schools on August 10 and nine schools on August 11[14] and for August 12.[20] The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has temporarily closed the 19,050 acres (7,710 ha) North Reno Recreation Area.[4]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ↑ Estimates vary by source and evacuations overlap with the Stallion Fire.
  2. ↑ Specifics under investigation.

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Bug Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
  2. ↑ McAndrew, Siobhan; McGinness, Brett; Santoro, Peggy; Young, Jaedyn (August 11, 2026). "Bug Fire updates: Evacuation areas grow rapidly from Sparks to Nixon". Reno Gazette–Journal. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
  3. ↑ Ayestas, Jonathan (August 11, 2026). "Bug Fire: Wildfire that burned in California, Nevada was human-caused, officials say". KCRA-TV. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Bug Fire absorbs Fred Mountain Fire, now more than 57,000 acres, Stallion Fire more than 20,000 acres". KTVN. August 11, 2026. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
  5. 1 2 Greenwood, Amanda (August 9, 2026). "Map Shows Bug Fire Spreading Rapidly Amid Widespread Nevada Evacuations". Newsweek. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
  6. ↑ O'Boyle, Brenna; Deach, Ben (August 9, 2026). "Bug Fire burning north of Reno grows to more than 4,100 acres". KOLO-TV. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
  7. ↑ Munsen, Jeff (August 9, 2026). "UPDATE: Double Fire and Ruby Fire in Douglas County caused by lightning; Carson City firefighters sent to Bug Fire near Cold Springs". Carson Now. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Bug Fire | CAL FIRE". www.fire.ca.gov. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
  9. ↑ O'Boyle, Brenna (August 10, 2026). "Bug Fire burns 15,000 acres across three counties". KOLO-TV. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
  10. ↑ Schilling, Angela (August 9, 2026). "Fire weather forecast with more wind expected". KTVN. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
  11. ↑ Gilbert, Mary; Dolce, Chris; Park, Hanna (August 8, 2026). "Challenging fire weather continues in West as thousands evacuated in Canada while Spokane crews gain ground". CNN. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
  12. ↑ McAndrew, Siobhan (August 10, 2026). "Update: WCSD closes 8 schools because of wildfire threat". Reno Gazette-Journal. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
  13. ↑ "FEMA Approves Fire Management Assistance Grant for Bug Fire in Washoe County". www.fema.gov. Federal Emergency Management Agency. August 10, 2026. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
  14. 1 2 Joy, Kaylee (August 11, 2026). "Another Washoe County school closed due to fires". KOLO-TV. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
  15. ↑ Sierra, Natalie (August 11, 2026). "Bug Fire: Believed to be human-caused, 44,000 acres burned, 3% contained". KTXL. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
  16. 1 2 3 Ryan, Jayde; Sheridan, Kevin (August 11, 2026). "6:00 pm: New evac orders and warnings issued for Bug Fire". KOLO-TV. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
  17. ↑ Perez, Kaylynn (August 10, 2026). "FEMA approves grant to help Nevada fight Bug Fire threatening 1,800 homes". KRNV-DT. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
  18. ↑ "A fire near Reno, Nevada, is the latest blaze to force evacuations in the West". Utah Public Radio. Boise State Public Radio. August 11, 2026. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
  19. ↑ "About 1,700 North Valleys customers remain without power amid wildfire activity". KTVN. August 10, 2026. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Nine Washoe County schools will be closed Wednesday amid area wildfires". KTVN. August 11, 2026. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bug_Fire&oldid=1368972119"