The Pacific Northwest has emerged as the undisputed epicenter of the 2026 wildfire season, with 37 large uncontained fires burning across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho as of mid-August — more than half of the roughly 80 large fires burning across the entire United States. The region is enduring one of its most destructive fire seasons on record, with acres burned already far outpacing historical averages.

Oregon leads the nation in large fire count, followed closely by Washington, with Idaho contributing additional significant incidents along the shared border with Oregon. Several of these fires are actively threatening homes, communities, and critical infrastructure, with evacuations, road closures, and area restrictions in effect across multiple incidents.

A Season Unlike Any Other

Nationally, firefighters have responded to more than 49,600 wildfires that have burned over 7.5 million acres through mid-August 2026 — representing 128 percent of the 10-year average for the number of fires and a staggering 169 percent of the 10-year average for total acres burned. The National Interagency Coordination Center (NICC) has maintained Preparedness Level 5, the highest operational level, for weeks.

More than 28,700 firefighting personnel are currently assigned to incidents nationwide, with significant resources concentrated in the Northwest Geographic Area. Crews, engines, and aircraft have been ordered from as far away as Florida to supplement regional forces.

Key Active Incidents in the PNW

Several fires have defined this season across the three-state area:

  • Big Grass Fire (Oregon/Idaho): The most massive fire in the region, burning approximately 579,000 acres along the Oregon-Idaho border near Jordan Valley. Now 85% contained, it has surpassed Oregon's previous all-time record and ranks among the largest fires in modern Northwest history.
  • Little Giant Fire (Washington): Burning approximately 132,990 acres roughly 30 miles northwest of Leavenworth in Chelan County, with only 10% containment. Multiple evacuation levels are in effect around Lake Chelan.
  • Kaiser Canyon Fire (Washington): Now at approximately 138,296 acres on the Colville Reservation, with crews working in steep, difficult terrain.
  • Sinlahekin Fire (Washington): Burning near Tonasket in Okanogan County, reaching approximately 154,000 acres, though recent rainfall helped temporarily ease fire behavior.

Federal and State Response

Both federal and state agencies have surged resources into the region. The Washington National Guard has activated more than 300 Soldiers and Airmen to provide aviation, hand crew, and security support. Washington's governor authorized a state fire mobilization as conditions worsened.

Federal incident management teams, including Complex Incident Management Teams (CIMTs), are managing multiple simultaneous large fires. The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) noted that prepositioning resources for initial attack — balanced against the enormous demand on active large fires — is a critical operational challenge during this peak period.

Conditions Remain Dangerous

The NIFC's August seasonal outlook calls for above-normal fire potential through the end of the month across most of the Northwest, from central Utah and western Wyoming westward to the Pacific Coast. Hot, dry conditions combined with low relative humidity and periodic wind events continue to drive extreme fire behavior across the region.

Residents throughout eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and southern Idaho are urged to monitor local emergency management channels, know their evacuation zones, and be prepared to leave quickly if conditions change. Visit inciweb.wildfire.gov for up-to-date information on individual incidents.