Kartar Fire — Latest News & Live Update
Okanogan County, WA
FireRisk.ai · Updated July 2, 2026
✅ Containment up 5% — firefighters have secured more of the perimeter, meaning less of the fire edge can spread freely.
The Kartar Fire in Okanogan County, Washington, reached full containment on July 2, marking the conclusion of a 15-day suppression effort that burned 11,746 acres. The fire was discovered on June 17 and determined to be human-caused. Containment increased 5 percentage points since the last report to reach 100 percent, meaning all perimeter control has been established and the fire is no longer spreading.
The relatively small personnel assignment of 3 firefighters, working under Type 4 Incident Command, held and extended containment lines across the short grass fuel type that dominates the fire area. No additional acreage was recorded since the previous update, indicating crews successfully prevented further growth. The containment trend confirms that firefighters gained and maintained ground throughout the operation.
The fire is now fully contained, with no active spread. Suppression costs have reached $6,400,000 to date. Follow local authorities and official orders for any remaining evacuation or travel information in the area.
FireRisk.ai covers active wildfire incidents and home fire risk using official NIFC, National Weather Service, and NASA FIRMS data. Briefings are generated automatically from verified official feeds and reviewed for accuracy.
Update timeline
The Kartar Fire in Okanogan County, Washington, reached full containment on July 2, marking the conclusion of a 15-day suppression effort that burned 11,746 acres. The fire was discovered on June 17 and determined to be human-caused. Containment increased 5 percentage points since the last report to reach 100 percent, meaning all perimeter control has been established and the fire is no longer spreading.
The Kartar Fire has held steady at 11,746 acres and 95% containment as suppression efforts enter their final phase. Discovered June 17 in Okanogan County, Washington, the human-caused fire spread through short grass fuel before crews established near-total control of its perimeter. With containment unchanged since the last report, firefighting operations have transitioned to mop-up and line securing rather than active edge advancement.
The Kartar Fire in Okanogan County, Washington, has remained stable at 11,746 acres with no growth or containment change reported in the past 24 hours. The fire, discovered June 17 and caused by human activity, is now 95% contained after burning through short-grass fuel across nearly two weeks of suppression work.
The Kartar Fire in Okanogan County, Washington, remains nearly contained as crews maintain their grip on the blaze eight days after discovery. At 11,746 acres with 95 percent containment, the human-caused fire has stopped growing, with no new acreage burned since the last report and no change in containment percentage.
Latest news — Kartar Fire
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Kartar Fire — current status questions
Is the Kartar Fire contained?
As of July 2, 2026, the Kartar Fire is 100% contained in Okanogan County, WA. Containment means that percentage of the fire's perimeter has been secured by crews — the fire can still burn inside those lines. The fire is nearing control, though full containment and mop-up operations continue. Follow your local fire authority for evacuation status.
How big is the Kartar Fire?
As of July 2, 2026, the Kartar Fire has burned 11,746 acres in Okanogan County, WA. Wildfire acreage is the estimated total area inside the fire perimeter — it is updated as aerial and ground crews assess the boundary and changes frequently on active fires. One acre is roughly the size of a football field; 18.4 square miles.
When did the Kartar Fire start?
The Kartar Fire was first reported on June 17, 2026 (15 days ago) in Okanogan County, WA. The reported cause is human. The fire's discovery date is reported by the incident agency to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC).
What caused the Kartar Fire?
According to NIFC reporting, the Kartar Fire was caused by human. Cause determinations are made by trained fire investigators and may be updated as the investigation proceeds.
How many firefighters are working on the Kartar Fire?
As of July 2, 2026, 3 total personnel are assigned to the Kartar Fire according to NIFC. This figure includes all positions on the incident — engine crews, hand crews, dozers, aircraft, logistics, and incident management team members. Large fires typically involve resources from multiple agencies and can draw crews from across the country when local resources are stretched.
How much has the Kartar Fire cost so far?
The estimated cost to suppress the Kartar Fire is $6.4 million as of July 2, 2026, according to NIFC. Wildfire suppression costs include personnel, equipment, aircraft, and logistical support. Large fires often cost millions of dollars per day at peak operations, and total costs continue to accumulate until the fire is fully contained and crews demobilize.
Who is managing the Kartar Fire response?
The Kartar Fire is being managed by Type 4 IC. Wildfire incident management teams (IMTs) are classified by complexity (Type 1 being the most complex). They coordinate all suppression resources — crews, aircraft, equipment — and produce the official daily situation reports posted to InciWeb.
Wildfire questions — Kartar Fire area
Answers apply to all active wildfires; specifics use Kartar Fire data where available.
What does the containment percentage mean for the Kartar Fire?
Containment percentage is the share of the fire's perimeter that crews have physically secured — typically by cutting a firebreak or reaching a natural barrier like a road or river. A fire at 40% contained means 40% of the edge has a line that crews are confident will hold; the remaining 60% is still open. The fire can continue burning inside those lines even at high containment. Full containment (100%) means the entire perimeter is secured, though the fire may still smolder inside for weeks during mop-up.
How is wildfire acreage measured?
Wildfire acreage is the estimated total area enclosed within the fire's perimeter, not just the actively burning area. Crews and aircraft sketch the perimeter using GPS tracks, aerial infrared flights (typically flown at night), and satellite imagery. Because mapping lags the actual fire edge by hours to days, reported acreage is always an estimate — especially on a fast-moving fire. One square mile equals 640 acres; compare the acreage figure to the map perimeter for a sense of scale.
Is the smoke from the Kartar Fire dangerous to breathe?
Wildfire smoke contains fine particles (PM2.5), carbon monoxide, and other compounds that are harmful to breathe — especially for children, the elderly, pregnant women, and anyone with heart or lung conditions. When AQI (Air Quality Index) is in the "Unhealthy" range (151+), everyone should reduce outdoor activity. At "Very Unhealthy" (201+), stay indoors with windows closed, run an air purifier if you have one, and wear an N95 or KN95 mask if you must go outside. Check the air quality tab on this fire's page or airnow.gov for live AQI readings near you.
How far does smoke from a wildfire travel?
Wildfire smoke can travel hundreds to thousands of miles depending on wind patterns and fire size. Smoke from large western U.S. fires has been recorded as far east as the Atlantic coast. At ground level, heavy smoke concentrations are typically within 50–150 miles of the fire, but air quality impacts can extend much further at altitude. Smoke dispersal depends heavily on upper-level wind direction, humidity, and whether the fire is producing a large smoke column. Check the live smoke map for current plume extent.
What is the difference between an evacuation order and an evacuation warning?
An evacuation order means leave immediately — conditions pose an immediate threat to life. You should not wait to gather belongings. An evacuation warning means be ready to leave at a moment's notice; conditions are threatening but not yet at the leave-now stage. Some jurisdictions use a three-tier system adding an "evacuation advisory" as the lowest level (monitor conditions). Zone designations (A, B, C or color-coded) indicate which areas are affected. Always follow the instructions of your local sheriff or fire authority — these designations can change within minutes as fire conditions shift.
How do I find out if my address is in an evacuation zone for the Kartar Fire?
The most reliable sources are your county sheriff's office, local Office of Emergency Services, or state emergency management agency — they issue and update zone boundaries. Many counties now have online zone-lookup tools where you can type your address, and Genasys Protect (protect.genasys.com) covers much of the West. FireRisk.ai sweeps official evacuation feeds every 5 minutes and paints active zones on this fire's map where coverage exists. The evacuation tab on this fire's status page links to official county sources. If you're in a high-risk area and can't confirm your status, treat any warning as an order and leave.
What should I take if I have to evacuate because of the Kartar Fire?
Prepare a go-bag in advance with: medications (a week's supply), important documents (ID, insurance cards, passports) or a USB with digital copies, phone charger and backup battery, cash, three days of clothes, water and non-perishable food, a first aid kit, and pet supplies if applicable. If you have time before leaving: take photos of your home and valuables for insurance purposes, close all windows and doors, move outdoor furniture inside, turn off gas, and leave exterior lights on so the home is visible in smoke. Don't wait until the last moment — roads become dangerously congested when orders are issued.
How do I sign up for free wildfire alerts near the Kartar Fire?
Use the alert signup on this page to receive free email notifications when fires are reported near an address you choose, when Red Flag Warnings are issued for your area, or when a fire you're tracking significantly changes. You can also sign up for your county's emergency alert system (typically Wireless Emergency Alerts plus a county-specific opt-in) and follow your local sheriff on social media. No single source covers everything — use at least two.
Where can I find official updates directly from the Kartar Fire incident team?
The incident management team publishes daily situation reports and operational updates to InciWeb (inciweb.wildfire.gov) — the official federal wildfire incident information system. Look up the fire by name to find its dedicated incident page with press releases, closure maps, and contact information. Many incident teams also post to a dedicated Facebook page. Your county Office of Emergency Services is the primary source for evacuation and road closure information specific to your community.
How often is the data on this page updated?
The headline figures (acres, containment, personnel) are pulled live from the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) WFIGS feed each time this page loads. NIFC data is typically updated once or twice daily by incident agencies — usually in the morning after overnight aerial mapping. The written daily briefing is regenerated automatically every few hours. For the most time-sensitive information during an active incident, check InciWeb and your local county emergency management office, as official reports there often appear before NIFC data is refreshed.
Does homeowners insurance cover wildfire damage?
Standard homeowners insurance (HO-3 policies) typically covers damage from wildfire under the "fire" peril, including the dwelling, other structures, and personal property. However, many insurers have been dropping coverage or non-renewing policies in high-risk California ZIP codes and other wildfire-prone areas. If your insurer dropped you, California's FAIR Plan (and similar state programs in other states) provides basic fire coverage as a last resort. After a wildfire, document all damage with photos before any cleanup, file your claim promptly, and keep receipts for additional living expenses — those are typically covered too. Check the policy's wildfire-specific exclusions and your coverage limits carefully.
How long does it take to fully contain a wildfire?
It depends almost entirely on size, terrain, fuel type, and weather. A small grass fire in flat terrain can be contained in hours. A large fire in steep, rugged terrain with dense chaparral or timber can take weeks or months — the 2020 August Complex in California took over two months and 1 million acres. Dry, windy conditions can undo days of progress overnight. Containment typically accelerates once temperatures drop and humidity rises. After full containment, mop-up operations (extinguishing hot spots, monitoring the perimeter) continue for weeks to prevent re-ignition.
What causes wildfires to spread rapidly?
The "fire triangle" of fuel, heat, and oxygen governs spread, but three conditions drive explosive growth: low relative humidity (below 15% makes fuels extremely receptive), high winds (spread flames ahead of the fire and loft embers — called spotting — that start new ignitions far ahead of the main fire), and steep terrain (fire races uphill because the slope pre-heats fuel above it). A fourth factor is drought-stressed or dead vegetation, which ignites and burns far more intensely than healthy plants. When all four conditions align — a dry spell, strong offshore or downslope wind event, cured grass or chaparral, and a spark — fires can grow from dozens to tens of thousands of acres in a single afternoon.
Kartar Fire — incident details
- Discovered
- June 17, 2026
- Cause
- Human
- Personnel assigned
- 3
- Estimated cost to date
- $6.4M
Source: National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) WFIGS feed.
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Related
Sources
All figures on this page are sourced directly from official U.S. government and agency feeds. No proprietary or estimated data is used without clear labeling.
- National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) — WFIGS ↗
Live fire size, containment, personnel, cost, cause, and incident boundaries
- InciWeb — Incident Information System ↗
Official incident management team updates, press releases, and evacuation notices
- National Weather Service (NWS) ↗
Red Flag Warnings, evacuation-level weather alerts, and fire-weather forecasts
- NASA FIRMS — Fire Information for Resource Management ↗
Satellite-detected active fire hotspots (VIIRS/MODIS)
- AirNow / EPA ↗
Air Quality Index (AQI) and smoke concentration near the incident
- Open-Meteo ↗
Fire-weather forecast (temperature, relative humidity, wind gusts) for the incident area
Headline figures are pulled live from the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) WFIGS feed and National Weather Service feed; the written briefing is generated automatically and is for awareness only — reported values lag real-time ground conditions. This is not an emergency service or official incident communication. In a wildfire emergency, call 911 and follow your local authorities and evacuation orders. Briefing last generated Thu, 02 Jul 2026 22:00:59 GMT.