With the July 4th holiday approaching during one of the earliest and most active wildfire seasons in recent memory, fire agencies across the Pacific Northwest are issuing urgent guidance to help residents celebrate safely and avoid accidentally starting the next major wildfire.

Why This July 4th Is Especially Dangerous

July 4th is historically the single highest day for human-caused wildfire ignitions in the United States, driven by private fireworks use, campfires, outdoor cooking, and increased vehicle traffic on dirt roads. This year, the combination of Red Flag-level fire weather, critically dry fuels, and multiple large fires already burning in Washington and across the West makes the holiday window exceptionally hazardous.

NIFC forecasters warn that the building heat dome expected to be in place through the holiday week will keep temperatures well above normal across eastern Oregon, Washington, and Idaho while driving relative humidity to critical low levels. Afternoon wind events are likely on multiple days of the holiday weekend.

Fireworks: Know Before You Light

Washington DNR has issued a burn ban on all DNR-managed forest lands, which includes campfires, charcoal, and outdoor burning of any kind. Many counties and municipalities have additional restrictions:

  • Check local bans first: Many counties in Eastern Washington and Oregon prohibit all fireworks during Red Flag conditions — including "safe and sane" consumer fireworks
  • Never use fireworks near dry grass or brush — even a brief ember can ignite a fire in seconds during Red Flag conditions
  • Attend a professional public fireworks display rather than lighting your own — these events have safety mitigations in place
  • Have water available if you're in an area where fireworks are permitted

Campfires and Outdoor Cooking

  • Campfire bans are in effect on all Washington DNR-managed lands and in many National Forest units across the Pacific Northwest
  • Check current fire restrictions at InciWeb.wildfire.gov or your specific National Forest's website before visiting
  • Use gas camp stoves rather than wood or charcoal where open fire is prohibited
  • Never leave any fire unattended; drown campfires with water — if the ashes are too hot to touch, they're too hot to leave

Vehicle and Equipment Safety

Dragging tow chains, hot exhaust systems, flat tires, and sparks from mowing equipment are common ignition sources during dry conditions. On the holiday weekend:

  • Check all trailer chains before traveling on dry rural roads
  • Avoid parking on dry grass — hot catalytic converters can ignite ground-level vegetation
  • Do not operate mowing or welding equipment during high-fire-danger periods

Emergency Preparedness

Even if you're just visiting the region for the holiday, know the basics:

  • Know your evacuation route from any recreation area you visit
  • Register your cell phone for local emergency alerts at OregonAlerts.org (Oregon) or check your Washington county emergency management site
  • Keep a go-bag ready and your gas tank full if you live in a fire-prone area
  • If you see a new fire start, call 911 immediately — don't assume someone else already has

Fire agencies across the Pacific Northwest are asking everyone to do their part this holiday weekend. The fires already burning are taxing regional resources — adding human-caused ignitions to the mix could overwhelm the system.