NW Fire Blog

CA Wildfire🔥Elephant Fire | Sierra County
July 18, 2026, Saturday

The ELEPHANT FIRE is located north of Loyalton and Hwy 49 in Loyalton, California, where it started on July 11, 2026, at 1327 hours PT. The cause has been listed as undetermined but remains under investigation by California Fire Officials.

Today, the fire has burned about 13,916 acres of grass and sagebrush fuels, which are prevalent in the area.

There is an 88% containment status.

The lead Fire Agency is the Tahoe National Forest (USFS), with the IC as Joseph Powell (ICT3), and is under the management of the Nevada Team 1 (IMT).

Incident Partners include firefighters and resources via the CAL FIRE NEU agency.

Resources indicate there are 484 total personnel with 12 crews, 19 engines, and 5 helicopters.

Fire behavior has been observed as active, isolated torching and single-tree torching.

Due to the amazing work of fire crews, there has been no loss of life or structures.

Image Credit: NW Fire Blog