The 2026 U.S. wildfire season has been one of the most active on record, with more than 57,000 fires burning over 8.5 million acres nationwide — 145% of the ten-year average for this date.

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson has formally asked President Trump to approve a major disaster declaration for four eastern Washington counties following devastating summer wildfires that destroyed hundreds of homes.

The Little Giant and Sinlahekin fires — Washington's two largest incidents of 2026 — are approaching full containment as crews shift focus to mop-up and suppression repair.

The Little Giant and Sinlahekin fires — Washington's two largest incidents of 2026 — are approaching full containment as crews shift focus to mop-up and suppression repair.

Oregon's 2026 fire season scorched 2.1 million acres and cost an estimated $1.4 billion to suppress — the most destructive and expensive season in state history.

Rainfall is returning to western Oregon and Washington, but forecasters warn that the Great Basin and portions of eastern Oregon remain dry and susceptible to fire spread — and Pacific Northwest communities should stay alert through at least mid-October.

With wildfire suppression season winding down and fall moisture arriving, land managers across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho are preparing for the autumn prescribed burn window — a critical tool for reducing the fuel loads that fed this year’s catastrophic fires.

From the Fix Our Forests Act to the Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act, a series of bipartisan bills are gaining momentum in Washington, D.C. — driven in large part by the devastation of the 2026 fire season and growing political urgency on both sides of the aisle.

The Modular Airborne Firefighting System reached a sobering milestone in September 2026 — over one million gallons of fire retardant delivered across California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, reflecting the extraordinary aerial resources demanded by this year’s fires.

After a summer of toxic smoke events that triggered air quality alerts across Western Washington and blanketed the Columbia Basin for weeks, autumn rainfall is finally clearing the skies — but public health experts say the region must confront its ‘smoke season’ reality.

Three simultaneous wildfires near Spokane, ignited under the first-ever PDS Red Flag Warning in Washington state history, destroyed more than 840 structures and triggered the largest urban wildfire evacuation in state history.

Oregon has burned more than 2.3 million acres in 2026, demolishing its previous all-time wildfire record and leaving a trail of evacuations, insurance upheaval, and federal emergency declarations across the state.

Washington’s emergency outdoor burn ban, in place since early August, expires September 30 — but state fire officials and local chiefs are urging residents to remain cautious, noting that fire season does not end with the calendar.

The Narrows Fire in the Clackamas River Ranger District of Mt. Hood National Forest is nearly fully contained at 305 acres, but fire closures and nearby activity from the Austin Fire continue to affect forest access southeast of Estacada.

With 8.5 million acres burned nationally and fire activity winding down, NIFC has lowered the National Preparedness Level to 2 — but a handful of large fires continue burning across five states heading into October.

Most Pacific Northwest evacuation orders from the 2026 fire season are being lifted as fires reach containment. All Sinlahekin (WA) orders lifted September 12. Oregon orders rescinded across most of 14 affected counties. How to verify your area's current status.

The Grasshopper Fire on Oregon's Mt. Hood National Forest is 93-97% contained at 93,971 acres. Six homes were destroyed. Forest closures remain in effect as crews complete mop-up. BAER assessments expected this fall.

Dry conditions persist across eastern Oregon, Washington, and Idaho into late September despite some early fall precipitation. The NIFC monthly outlook flags continued elevated fire potential through mid-October. Fuel moisture levels remain below normal across much of the region.

Congress funded $1.01B for USFS and $383.7M for DOI wildfire suppression in FY2026, with a $2.85B reserve fund. A Trump administration proposal to consolidate agencies under a new U.S. Wildland Fire Service faces pushback as a Congressional study begins.

Washington's statewide burn ban expires September 30. Oregon smoke advisories have eased but AQI monitoring remains important. Health tips for wildfire smoke exposure and what to expect as fall prescribed burns begin across Central Oregon.