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Incident Update: Quail Springs Fire

Nevada
Media Contact
Shane Kelly
702-279-4157
BLM Office:

Location: Lincoln County, NV on Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) withdrawn lands and BLM lands within the BLM Ely District.

Size & Containment: Approx. 13,500 acres as of 6:00 PM 7/28/26. The Quail Springs Fire experienced significant growth again, primarily due to hot and dry winds, rough terrain, high temps and low relative humidities. Firefighters are utilizing indirect and direct suppression strategies and tactics. Steep, rough terrain and extreme fire behavior are making direct suppression strategies difficult. Containment is 0%

Evacuations: No evacuations and no publicly accessible structures are threatened.

Closures: The Quail Springs Fire is within the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) withdrawn lands. This is a restricted area, closed to the public, always, regardless of fire activity. No closures are in effect. Highway 375 may be impacted by smoke depending on fire behavior. If contingency plans are activated, Highway 375 may experience temporary closures, but no closures are planned.

Threatened

  • No residences or public spaces are threatened. The nearby community of Rachel, NV may be impacted by smoke but is not threatened.

Update: Fire behavior is active with uphill runs, with a significant increase in activity in the afternoon. The fire is progressing mostly to the north. As the fire moves out of steep terrain, crews are having success in suppressing those areas.

Fire Outlook: The fire is expected to increase activity in the afternoon, with reduced activity overnight. The fire will likely continue to be active overnight due to very poor humidity recoveries. Hot, dry weather with afternoon wind is expected throughout the rest of the week. 10-15 mph winds are expected out of the south with gust to 25 mph. No precipitation is expected. As the fire progresses north, terrain conditions are likely to improve, which may give firefighters more opportunities to engage the fire directly.

Objective: Crews will continue using an indirect confinement strategy and act as necessary to protect values at risk. Crews will engage with direct suppression tactics as opportunities arise.

Visit Great Basin Coordination Center for more weather and risk potential.

Fire Summary

  • Report date: 07/24/2026 approx. 6:00 PM PDT
  • Jurisdiction: Nevada Test and Training Range
  • Cause: Natural, Lightning
  • Fuels: Timber (Pinyon/Juniper) and grass

Responding Agencies: United States Air Force, US Wildland Fire Service, Lincoln County Emergency Management Department

More information:

  • NevadaFireInfo.org: real-time fire maps and cameras – fire restrictions – prevention, safety – and fire career opportunities in Nevada.

We urge the public to remember - If you or a loved one is sensitive to smoke, stay indoors when possible until air quality improves. Monitor air quality at: NWS Air Quality

The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.