Checking the horizon for smoke has basically become a reflex for anyone living above the Grapevine. If you’re asking where is the Northern California fire, you’re likely seeing a haze in the air or hearing sirens and wondering if it’s "the big one" starting up again.
Honestly, the answer changes by the hour.
As of January 16, 2026, the situation in Northern California is surprisingly quiet compared to the nightmare seasons we've had recently. While Southern California has been dealing with some activity—specifically the Oak Fire down in Riverside—the North is currently in a state of "winter watch."
According to the latest data from CAL FIRE, there have only been about 12 wildland fires statewide since the start of the year. Combined, they’ve burned maybe an acre. One acre. That’s essentially a backyard.
But don't let those low numbers fool you.
The Current Map: Where the Smoke is Really Coming From
Right now, if you see a plume of smoke in places like Plumas National Forest or near the Tahoe Basin, it’s probably not a wildfire. It's likely a prescribed burn.
Fire crews are taking advantage of this damp January window. They’re out there intentionally lighting "good fires" to clear out the fuel that usually turns August into a disaster. It’s a bit of a weird irony: we have to burn the forest to save it.
Here is what is actually happening on the ground:
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- Prescribed Fire Operations: Units in the North Sierra and the Emerald Bay area are running controlled burns to reduce undergrowth.
- Small "Spot" Fires: Occasionally, a roadside grass fire will pop up—usually from a dragging trailer chain or a tossed cigarette—but these are being doused in minutes.
- The Residual 2025 Damage: You might still see "ash dust" being kicked up by high winds in areas like the Mendocino National Forest, which can look like new smoke from a distance.
Why "Where" Matters Less Than "When"
We've spent the last few years looking at maps of the Dixie Fire or the August Complex, where the "where" was everywhere. Tens of thousands of acres. Entire towns like Paradise or Greenville becoming names on a list of tragedies.
In 2026, the pattern is shifting.
Meteorologists are calling this a "whiplash year." We had a wet start, but the "flash drought" potential is real. When people ask where is the northern california fire, they are often looking for a specific GPS coordinate, but the real threat is the standing dead vegetation that hasn’t rotted away yet.
If you're in the North Bay or the Sacramento Valley, the wind is your biggest enemy. A fire could start in a ditch in Vacaville and be five miles away in twenty minutes if the North Winds (the Diablos) decide to kick up.
Misconceptions About the "Fire Season"
The term "fire season" is kinda dead.
Firefighters will tell you it’s a "fire year" now. Even in January, if we get a week of 70-degree weather and no rain, those grasses turn into tinder.
Most people think the massive timber fires in the deep woods are the biggest threat right now. They aren't. It's the "WUI"—the Wildland-Urban Interface. That’s the fancy term for where your house meets the brush. That is where the most dangerous fires are located currently, even if they haven't started yet.
How to Check the "Live" Status
If you're smelling smoke right now and want a real-time answer, don't just rely on a Google search that might show you an article from three days ago. Use these specific tools:
- Watch Duty App: This is arguably the best tool out there. It’s run by volunteers and often beats official CAL FIRE alerts by ten or fifteen minutes because they monitor radio scanners.
- CAL FIRE Incident Map: The official source. It won't show you the tiny half-acre grass fires, but it will show anything over 10 acres.
- NASA FIRMS: This uses satellite heat detection. If a fire starts in the middle of nowhere where there are no witnesses, the satellites usually see the heat signature first.
Actionable Steps for the "Quiet" Months
Since there isn't a massive wall of flames currently threatening Northern California cities today, this is actually the most critical time to act. It feels less urgent, which is exactly why it’s the best time to get ready.
Clear your 0-5 foot zone. Experts from the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) have found that the most common reason houses burn isn't a wall of fire—it’s embers landing in dried leaves right next to the foundation. If you have mulch or dead plants touching your siding, get rid of them today.
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Audit your air filters. When the next big Northern California fire inevitably starts, the "Where" won't matter as much as the "Air Quality Index (AQI)." If you have a central HVAC system, stock up on MERV 13 filters now. When the smoke hits, the prices triple and they sell out in hours.
Sign up for Genasys Protect. Most California counties have switched to this system for evacuations. It replaces the old "Zonehaven" maps. If you don't know your zone number, you won't know if an evacuation order applies to you until a cop is at your door with a megaphone.
Keep an eye on the wind, keep your gutters clear of pine needles, and maybe download a scanner app. The lack of a major fire today is a gift—don't waste it.
Next Steps to Stay Safe:
- Check your local county’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) website to find your specific evacuation zone.
- Download the Watch Duty app and set notifications for your specific county to get alerts the second a new ignition is reported.