Multiple Fires In CA, OR, MT Have (So Far) Failed To Cause Major Damage, But Season Just Getting Going

Numerous wildfires across the US west coast are challenging emergency crews from California wine country to central Oregon, as weather forecasters warned that the risks of more blazes sparking is not over yet. In central California, firefighters are working to corral a fast-growing wildfire that is churning through the Sierra national forest as forecasters warned on Tuesday that lightning strikes from thunderstorms could ignite new fires.

Since breaking out on Sunday afternoon, the Garnet fire has scorched 14 sq miles (36 sq km) of grass, chaparral and timber in a remote area known for camping and hiking about 60 miles (97km) east of Fresno. The fire is currently at 0% containment, and officials said that “strong, erratic winds” would likely test firefighters ability to make progress.

Parts of central and northern California are under red flag warnings for increased fire threat from dry lightning that could accompany thunderstorms, the National Weather Service said. The latest wildfire comes as a blaze in central Oregon that destroyed four homes began to stabilize, while a blaze in northern California wine country has so far spared some of the state’s most famous vineyards.

Moisture helped the 1,200 firefighters battling Oregon’s Flat fire, but more work needed to be done, authorities said. Dry, hot weather had fueled a rapid expansion of the blaze across rugged terrain in Deschutes and Jefferson counties since the fire began late on Thursday.

EDIT

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/26/oregon-california-wildfires