Acres: Bug 66,505 acres / Stallion 33,426 acres Start Date: August 8, 2026
Location: North of Reno, NV Cause: Human
Total Personnel: Bug 285 / Stallion 103 Fuels: Tall grass, brush and pinyon-juniper
Containment: Bug 0% / Stallion 0%
Total Resources: 7 crews | 25 engines | 5 helicopters | 9 dozers
Highlights: The Bug and Fred Mountain Fires have combined and are now being referred to as the Bug Fire. Eight large air tankers, two very large air tankers, four water scoopers, and multiple water-dropping helicopters flew in support of ground crews throughout the day, combining with the coordinated defense of communities on all sides of the Bug Fire and along the east side of the Stallion Fire. While the containment percentage has decreased, the primary objectives of preventing structure loss and ensuring public safety through coordinated, timely evacuations were achieved. Containment is measured against the full perimeter, and growth resets the percentage even where completed line continues to hold.
Operations: Water scoopers were instrumental in the defense of Rancho Haven, working directly on the fire’s edge. The scoopers supported ground resources with multiple water drops to both fires throughout the day by reducing the fire’s energy before it reached dozer lines, allowing crews to establish control lines. On the south end of the Bug Fire, mop-up has begun as crews locate and extinguish remaining heat. At the northern end, firing operations strengthened control lines. On the west, a dozer line has been built in Rancho Haven with an indirect line through the flats as the fire backs slowly down the Petersen Mountains. Last night crews directly engaged the fire to take advantage of cool temperatures and higher humidity. The Stallion Fire grew on all sides. Smoke from the Bug Fire and cloud cover reduced fire activity across the Stallion Fire and allowed for control lines to be scouted, built, and improved while resources defended values along the fire’s east side. Resources on both fires remain focused on structure protection in surrounding communities.
Weather and Fire Behavior: Temperatures remain high with low humidity. Afternoon winds continue to strengthen daily, with gusts of 30 mph. Thunderstorms are forecast this afternoon and into tomorrow and can produce stronger, sudden outflow winds from any direction, along with lightning. A flash flood watch is in effect for areas near older burn scars.
Smoke: Smoke from the Bug and Stallion, and other regional fires may impact communities. If you or a loved one is sensitive to smoke, stay indoors when possible and continue monitoring local air-quality conditions at Fire.AirNow.gov.
Evacuations and Closures: Evacuations continue to evolve as the fires progress. Evacuation statuses are issued by the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and Tribal Authorities. The Evelyn Mount Community Center at 1013 Valley Road in Reno is the official evacuation center. Washoe County Regional Animal Services is accepting small animals at 2825 Longley Lane. The large-animal shelter is currently at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center. Residents who can safely relocate animals to a friend or family member are encouraged to do so. For livestock-related questions, call 311. Red Rock Road and Lemmon Drive to Ramsey Way, with no westbound traffic on Lemmon Dr., are closed for firefighting efforts.
Current evacuation information is available at www.perimetermap.com/washoe
Inciweb:https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/nvccd-bug-fire
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BugFredStallionFires2026/
