Peak Fire- CAL FIRE Lassen-Modoc Facebook
Firefighters are working hard on three active wildfires across Modoc County: the Clear Fire, the Mammoth Fire, and the Howards Fire. Each blaze ignited in late July amid dry conditions and thunderstorms, prompting a swift interagency response. Below are the latest details on when each fire was discovered, their size, containment status, any evacuations, the agencies involved, the challenges faced, and the most recent updates.
Clear Fire
The Clear Fire was first reported at approximately 4:37 p.m. on July 30, 2025 in a remote part of Modoc County. It ignited on federal land west of Deer Hill near Dry Valley Reservoir and is being managed by the U.S. Forest Service (Modoc National Forest). As of the latest information, the Clear Fire has burned roughly 11.3 acres in total. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and Cal Fire has classified it as a federal incident (not a Cal Fire–managed fire).
Containment of the Clear Fire is reported as 100% in the sense that forward progress has been stopped, though official containment percentage was not immediately provided in public updates. No evacuation orders or warnings were issued for this fire, given its small size and remote location, and no structures were threatened. Fire crews from the Modoc National Forest responded quickly, preventing significant spread. The most recent update, as of August 3, 2025, indicated that the fire’s acreage held at just over 11 acres and it was largely under control.
Mammoth Fire
The Mammoth Fire broke out on July 25, 2025 at 4:23 p.m. in the afternoon, in the Dry Lake area off Highway 139, about three miles north of Tionesta. The fire is on Modoc National Forest land and the U.S. Forest Service is the lead agency managing the incident. In its initial hours, the Mammoth Fire spread rapidly – reaching an estimated 150 acres within about two hours of ignition, driven by dry fuels and wind. Over the following days the blaze grew to approximately 2,533 acres in size. Fire behavior was influenced by strong, gusty winds and erratic gusts from passing thunderstorms, which posed challenges to containment efforts. Crews also had to contend with difficult terrain; lava rock “reefs” in the area hampered the construction of containment lines around the fire. The cause of the Mammoth Fire is under investigation.
By mid-week, firefighters had made significant progress. As of an update on July 30, 2025, containment had reached about 80%, and by August 1, 2025, the Mammoth Fire was fully contained (100%) at 2,533 acres burned. During the incident, evacuation warnings were issued as a precaution for rural residents in the vicinity. Specifically, authorities warned people in Zones MCU-001 and MCU-002 near Tionesta (areas west of County Roads 120 and 121) to be ready to evacuate if conditions worsened. No mandatory evacuation orders were ultimately required, and there were no reports of structures lost. The Mammoth Fire’s full containment was confirmed by August 1, and fire crews continue to patrol and mop up hot spots in the fire area to ensure it remains cold.
Howards Fire
The Howards Fire was discovered on the afternoon of July 31, 2025 near Howards Gulch, on the north side of Highway 139 by the community of Canby in Modoc County. Initial reports estimated the fire had spread to roughly 100 acres in size within a few hours, as it was being driven by strong winds from nearby thunderstorms that day. However, once firefighters conducted more accurate mapping of the burn area, the fire’s size was revised to about 30 acres on the evening of July 31. The Howards Fire is burning in Modoc National Forest jurisdiction and is being managed by the U.S. Forest Service, with no Cal Fire team assigned. The cause of the fire is undetermined and under investigation, though thunderstorms in the area suggest a possible lightning start.
As of the latest update, the Howards Fire has burned approximately 100 acres in total and is around 45% contained. Firefighters from the Modoc National Forest have been strengthening containment lines and mopping up, working through the weekend amid lingering stormy weather. No evacuations have been ordered for this fire – a reflection of its remote location and the fact that it has not threatened populated areas. Terrain in the Howards Gulch area is rugged, but crews have kept the fire’s spread limited despite the initial wind push. The most recent status report on the Howards Fire (as of August 3, 2025, 1:25 PM) noted the containment at 45%, and fire managers expect containment to continue increasing in the coming days as cooler weather moves in.
Wider Fire Activity
In addition to these larger incidents, 35 other lightning-caused fires have been reported in Modoc National Forest since July 24, each burning fewer than 10 acres. All are either contained, controlled, or extinguished.
