Biscar 2026

Links - Daily Update (pdf)     |     Daily Informational Map (pdf)     |     Fire Progression Map    |     Daily Operations Update (video) 

The Biscar Fire started from a lightning strike on July 18, 2026 within Lassen County.  It grew quickly with warm temperatures and strong winds pushing it eastward across Highway 395.  It is currently mapped at 69,352 acres with 97% containment.

Fire Activity: Fire activity has been minimal despite elevated fire weather conditions. Containment lines around the fire continue to be reinforced. Crews have been checking integrity of the containment lines using a tactic called “cold trailing,” where fire fighters walk along these lines to verify that no heat persists. 

About 200 firefighters were released Sunday, and additional 200 were released Monday and made available to other fires in the region.  Resources continue to be made available for reassignments today as they finish their tasks on the Biscar Fire.  A National Preparedness Level 5 (Highest Level) indicates a significant amount of fire activity nationally with resources (crews, engines, aircraft) mostly being committed; and therefore fewer resources available to respond to new ignitions.

California Interagency Incident Management Team 3 has demobilized from the Biscar Fire today, and will be reassigned to the Castle Fire in southern Oregon.  The Team thanks the residents and Emergency Management staff of Lassen County, CA and Washoe County, NV for their support and dedication during the Biscar Fire.

Why the strange name?  Fires are often named after geographic features near the fire, and in this case, Biscar Reservoir is located just a few miles south of where the fire was first reported.  Pierre “Pete” Biscar (1881–1947),  was a French-born rancher who settled in Secret Valley, California, and constructed the first reservoir at the mouth of Snowstorm Canyon.

Incident Objectives:

• Provide safety for first responders and the public through risk analysis and hazard mitigation.
• Minimize acres burned utilizing direct extinguishment tactics.
• Utilize resources where they can be most successful and ensure tactics have a high probability of success.
• Protect and minimize impacts to communities, private property, infrastructure, cultural, natural resources and Sage Grouse habitat.
• Strengthen collaboration and relationships with cooperators, ranchers, tribal communities, and the public by delivering accurate information while seeking opportunities to build new relationships.

Evacuation Orders: 

California  

• Evacuation Orders: All Evacuation Orders have been lifted.  
• Evacuation Warnings: Zone LAS-553 remains in an evacuation warning.  
• All other zones have been placed back into a normal status.  
• Conditions may change rapidly due to changing conditions on this fire, or a new fire.  Be prepared to leave at a moment's notice.
• Interactive Evacuation Map is available through https://protect.genasys.com/ 

For shelter information call (530) 254-4500: or visit the Lassen County Sheriff's Office Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LassenSheriff/ 

Nevada

• Level 2 (Set), and Level 3 (Go Now) Evacuation recommendations have been issued for portions of central Washoe County.  
• Interactive Evacuation Map is available through https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/46cb79ef933d4485b9966a9730e2d944/page/Perimeter/ 

Please note that California and Nevada use different, though similar, programs.  Evacuation status information for each state is displayed within their respective programs.  

Area Closures: The Bureau of Land Management has instituted a temporary closure of public lands for the Biscar Fire.  Public lands near Snowstorm Road and Vincent Canyon, northeast of Susanville in Lassen County, are closed for wildland fire fighting operations.  Pursuant to 43 CFR 8364.1, this temporary closure is being implemented for public and firefighter safety during emergency fire suppression actions.  View the Full Closure Order and Map.

Fire Restrictions: The Bureau of Land Management issued seasonal fire restrictions effective July 15th for BLM-managed public lands within Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Sierra, Siskiyou and Shasta counties in California and Washoe County, Nevada. These seasonal restrictions are in addition to the year-round, statewide fire prevention order. These fire orders for Applegate and Eagle Lake field offices are in place to help prevent wildfires and will remain in effect until further notice.

The fire restrictions prohibit campfires and barbecues except within established campfire rings and barbecue grills in certain designated recreation sites:   Read more at https://www.blm.gov/announcement/blm-announces-seasonal-fire-restrictions-ne-california-nw-nevada-0 

Highway Closures: Highway 395 has reopened with no traffic restrictions.       Please use caution when traveling in the area as firefighters may be working near the roads, and anticipate an increased amount of heavy equipment between the fire area and Susanville.  https://roads.dot.ca.gov/?roadnumber=395 

Smoke Impacts:  Very little smoke is being produced by the Biscar Fire.  Please visit https://fire.airnow.gov/?lang=en#7.34/40.599/-119.644 for smoke information from the Biscar Fire.    Fore information about the impacts of smoke, and ways to protect your health, please visit https://www.airnow.gov/air-quality-and-health/fires-and-your-health/ 

About the Bureau of Land Management - Northern California District.  The BLM’s Northern California District manages about 3.5 million acres of public lands, covering a diverse landscape, ranging from the arid and rugged Great Basin to the fog shrouded forests of the North Coast. The Redding-based district office oversees field offices in Alturas, Arcata, Redding and Susanville and a field station in Cedarville. The district contains two distinct regions. On the east, the Applegate and Eagle Lake field offices oversee vast expanses of public lands in a high desert landscape, including about a million and a half acres in far western Nevada. Small communities depend on public lands for economic benefits, primarily through livestock grazing, and tourism uses ranging from hunting to mountain biking. These lands provide habitat for 14 wild horse herds and special status species, such as greater sage grouse. On the west, the Arcata and Redding field offices manage smaller, scattered blocks of public land with more emphasis on recreation demands from urban areas.