Volatile fire weather conditions are expected to persist across the Pacific Northwest and Great Basin through at least the end of July 2026, with isolated dry thunderstorms threatening new ignitions in southern Idaho and a slight chance of thunderstorm activity in the Blue Mountains of northeastern Oregon. Meanwhile, hot and dry conditions across the region continue to fuel the historic fire season already underway.

Today's Forecast

The National Interagency Fire Center's morning weather update for July 30 highlights the following conditions:

  • Southern Idaho: Isolated dry thunderstorms possible throughout the morning and afternoon, with scattered mixed wet/dry storms extending into Wyoming and Montana by afternoon. New ignitions are possible in these areas.
  • Oregon and Washington: No thunderstorms expected across most of the Northwest. Minimum relative humidity is forecast at 10 to 20 percent — critically dry conditions for fire behavior — with a very slight chance of a dry thunderstorm in the Blue Mountains.
  • Southwest U.S.: Monsoonal moisture is weakening, with temperatures trending 5 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit above normal across the Southwest, California, and the Great Basin. Low afternoon relative humidity will continue to support active fire behavior.
  • Northern Rockies: Isolated to scattered thunderstorms expected across portions of Wyoming and Montana, with some new ignitions possible.

Idaho Active Fires

Idaho currently has two large active fires under management:

  • Tartar Fire — 12,208 acres, 25% contained. Managed by the BLM Boise District, burning approximately 21 miles northwest of Weiser in southwestern Idaho. Contact: 208-295-5496.
  • Upper Smith Fire — 1,573 acres, 15% contained. Managed by the Idaho Panhandle National Forest, burning approximately 20 miles northwest of Bonners Ferry in the Smith Creek drainage in the Idaho Panhandle. Contact: 208-295-5495.

The possibility of new lightning-caused ignitions today in southern Idaho adds urgency to monitoring by local fire managers, particularly given already-stretched statewide and national firefighting resources.

Extended Outlook

No significant relief from the hot and dry pattern is expected in the near term across the Northwest. Above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation are forecast through much of August, according to the Climate Prediction Center. This pattern is typical of Pacific Northwest fire seasons but has been made worse in 2026 by an early snowmelt, a hot June, and a string of lightning storms in mid-July that started dozens of fires simultaneously.

Fire managers are particularly watching the Blue Mountains of northeastern Oregon and southeastern Washington, where multiple fires — including the Hagen Fire (29,231 acres) near Pendleton and several Umatilla National Forest fires — are burning in proximity to each other. Any significant wind event or afternoon thunderstorm in that corridor could trigger rapid fire runs or spot ignitions that overwhelm containment efforts.

Public Guidance

With the combination of extreme fire weather and an already historic fire season, the public should:

  • Avoid any spark-producing activities outdoors — campfires, target shooting with steel-core ammunition, and off-road vehicle use on dry vegetation are all fire risk activities
  • Check current fire restrictions at campfire-permit.oregon.gov or recreation.gov before outdoor recreation
  • Report smoke or fire immediately to 911 or 1-800-ALL-FIRE (1-800-255-3473) in Oregon
  • Have a go-kit ready and know your evacuation routes if you live in a fire-prone area