Elephant Fire Near Loyalton Grows to 16,000 Acres, 42% Contained as Evacuations Lifted

The Elephant Fire, which ignited on July 11 east of Loyalton in the Tahoe National Forest, has expanded to 16,043 acres and is 42 percent contained as of July 15, according to Cal Fire. The U.S. Forest Service reports a 31 percent containment figure after updated mapping changed the blaze’s perimeter.

The fire began just after 1 p.m. on Saturday near Highway 49, northeast of Loyalton on the Sierra and Plumas county line. Early reports on July 11 indicated the blaze had burned roughly 2,300 acres and was 5 percent contained. By July 12 the fire had grown to 6,436 acres, still 5 percent contained, with more than 430 personnel on the scene. The same day, the U.S. Forest Service noted that the fire was moving through the 2020 Loyalton Fire scar and was burning primarily in grass, brush and timber.

Cal Fire’s July 15 update lists the fire at 16,043 acres, 42 percent contained, and notes that all evacuation orders have been lifted. Evacuations had previously covered LAS‑451‑A, LAS‑671‑B, PLU‑104‑A and PLU‑144. The U.S. Forest Service’s Facebook post on July 15 states that operations on Tuesday were successful, allowing crews to shift focus to securing lines and mopping up.

The fire is being fought by a combination of ground crews, bulldozers, and aircraft. Cal Fire and the U.S. Forest Service have deployed more than 500 personnel, including a strike team from the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District, Storey County Fire Protection District, Fallen Leaf Fire Department and South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue. Truckee Meadows Fire Protection has added air attacks as the blaze moved to the east side of ridge tops.

Smoke from the Elephant Fire is expected to drift into nearby communities. The U.S. Forest Service warns that smoke could affect Hallelujah Junction, Bordertown, Cold Springs and the greater Reno area. Residents in those communities are advised to monitor local air‑quality reports.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. No ignition source has been identified, and officials have not released further details.

Cal Fire estimates the blaze will be fully contained by July 22. The agency is continuing to build and reinforce fire lines while taking advantage of cooler, rainy weather to improve line security.

The Elephant Fire is one of several active wildfires in California in 2026. It highlights the ongoing challenges of wildfire management in the state’s high‑risk forests and the importance of coordinated efforts between state, federal and local agencies.

As of July 15, the Elephant Fire’s containment status is 42 percent according to Cal Fire and 31 percent according to the U.S. Forest Service. All evacuations have been lifted, but the fire remains active and is expected to be fully contained on July 22.

The incident continues to be monitored by Cal Fire, the U.S. Forest Service and local fire departments. Updates will be posted on the Cal Fire incident page and the U.S. Forest Service’s social‑media channels.