Shale Butte Fire (Idaho)

Burning across 1,500 acres of federal land in Lincoln County, Idaho, the active Shale Butte Fire is located 10 miles northwest of Kimama. Having burned for two days since its natural start on August 22, 2026, the fire is spreading at an approximate rate of 750 acres per day. Satellites are picking up a single heat detection in the area over the past 48 hours, marking the current spread of the incident.

Currently 40 percent contained, the fire exhibits moderate and creeping behavior through 2.5-foot tall grass fuels. Management of the incident falls under a Type 3 Incident command led by a Type 3 IC, directing a total of 30 personnel from the BLM. Suppression efforts have accumulated a cost of $150,000 so far.

This incident unfolds during the region's typical fire season, which runs from June to October. Across the country, 2,993,191 hectares have burned so far in 2026, placing the national burned area 45 percent below the two-decade average.