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Fire crews are anticipated to fully contain the New Pass Fire in Lander County sometime next week. 

Currently, the lightning-sparked fire is more than 31,000 acres at about 42% contained northwest of Austin.

Authorities say fire crews continued suppression repair on the west side bordering East Alpine Road, moving north. They also carried out tactical burn operations on the eastern edge, near Gilbert Road. On the southern perimeter, crews put in dozer lines and cleaned up unburned fuels between the dozer lines and the fire edge.

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.

New Pass Fire map, August 3

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.