Crews are slowly getting control of a lightning-sparked fire in Lander County with full containment still anticipated sometime next week.
The New Pass Fire is now 35,634 acres and 60% contained northwest of Austin.
The Forest Service says, "hot, very dry and unstable conditions will continue Wednesday, with poor overnight recovery followed by daytime RH falling into the 3-9% range, as temperatures climb into the 90s. Northwest winds of 5-10 mph with gusts to around 20 mph mix down once again Wednesday afternoon. These hot, very dry and unstable conditions will continue through the remainder of the week."
Crews plan to do prescribed burns that may add to its overall acreage, but they say it should be limited to one section of the fire footprint.
The BLM says residents are likely to see some smoke during the day. It adds that daily and nightly smoke continues affecting Highway 50, south of the fire, settling into the Highway 50 corridor and surrounding valleys each night. Air quality in Austin remains in the moderate to good range.
There may be intermittent road closures Wednesday north of Highway 50 as crews conduct tactical burning operations.
More than 320 personnel are working the fire.
AUGUST 2, 2026
The new pass fire has jumped in containment to 43% contained.
The lighting sparked fire has burned an estimated 30,894 acres since starting July 26.
Yesterday saw an increase in fire behavior because of the change in wind direction.
The fire became active on the southern perimeter but remained within secondary containment lines.
August 1:
The New Pass Fire has surpassed 30,000 acres and remains 24% contained.
Officials determined the fire was caused by lightning.
The Forest Service says winds have been favorable and they’re making significant progress.
Crews will begin removing vegetation between established control lines and the advancing fire, to help secure containment lines and limits the possibility of the fire spreading.
They are expecting hot and dry conditions to continue, with a heat advisory in effect through 10 p.m. for Lander County.
July 31:
The New Pass Fire has grown to nearly 30,000 acres and is now 24% contained, northwest of Austin in Lander County.
There are currently more than 215 personnel assigned to the wildfire, which started last weekend.
The Forest Service says that firefighters will continue constructing and strengthening containment lines along the north, east, and west sides of the fire where conditions allow.
No evacuations orders or warnings are in place.
There's no immediate word on a cause, or when the fire will be fully contained.
TEAM ACTIVATION: Great Basin, NV Team 5, Type 3 IMT has been ordered for the New Pass Fire. Needed date/time, 07/30/26 @ 1600 PDT, Austin, NV.@GreatBasinCC#gbcc
— GBCC News and Notes (@GreatBasinCC) July 30, 2026
