Bug and Stallion Fires Near Full Containment: Aug. 18, 2026
Daily update via Southwest Area Incident Management Team
Caleb Finch, Team 1, Incident Commander
Acres: Bug 93,733 acres / Stallion 40,691 acres
Start Dates: Bug: 8/8/26 Stallion: 8/10/26
Containment: Bug 87% / Stallion 85%
Causes: Bug: Human / Stallion: Human.
Total Personnel: Bug 541/ Stallion 27
Fuels: Tall grass, brush and pinyon-juniper
Location: North of Reno, NV
Total Resources: 11 crews | 38 engines | 4 helicopters | 6 dozers | 6 water tenders
Highlights: Containment continues to climb on both the Bug and Stallion Fires — now 87% and 85% — and all evacuations have been lifted, allowing communities to safely return home. While crew numbers are decreasing as portions of the fires are secured, dedicated initial attack and structure protection resources remain in place and ready to respond immediately to any fire in areas near homes.
Operations: On the Stallion Fire, crews focused on the southern perimeter, adding containment along the ridge with no smoke identified. On the Bug Fire, crews on the south end remain in patrol status, the northern side added containment, and crews are conducting mop-up and cold trailing along the fire’s edge, carefully checking the perimeter by feel for any remaining heat and extinguishing it. One helicopter has been released and reassigned to support the Shoshone Fire in Churchill County, Nevada.
Residents may continue to see smoke rising from well within the fire perimeter as interior pockets of heavier fuels such as stumps, logs, and juniper smolder. This interior smoldering is expected, is being monitored by fire personnel, and does not threaten containment lines.
Weather, Fire Behavior and Smoke: Temperatures reached the mid-80s today with humidity in the teens and wind gusts of 30–35 mph. Winds will ease somewhat tomorrow, with afternoon gusts near 25 mph, but humidity will drop below 15% and temperatures will climb toward the 90s, with hot, dry conditions that will test containment lines and keep fuels outside the fire footprint extremely dry. There is an increased chance of lightning later in the week, with better chances of moisture arriving after the weekend. Fire crews remain positioned to respond quickly to any new starts. Smoke from the Bug, Stallion, and other regional fires may continue to impact surrounding communities. Local air-quality conditions can be found at Fire.AirNow.gov.
Evacuations and Closures: Per the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, all evacuations have been lifted for both the Bug and Stallion Fires, and all fire-related road closures for the Bug Fire have been lifted. Some road, trail, and area closures remain in effect in the Stallion Fire area. Check perimetermap.com/washoe for the current status in your area. For further questions, call Washoe County 311 or visit www.emergencywashoe.com.
Safety: As residents settle back into communities near the fires, please remember that firefighters and heavy equipment remain actively working along roadways and throughout the area. Drive slowly, stay clear of crews and equipment, and allow them room to finish the job.
