The Pacific Northwest has emerged as the most active wildfire region in the United States this fire season, with 46 large, uncontained fires burning across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho as of mid-August 2026. The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) has maintained the National Preparedness Level at its maximum — Level 5 — since July 18, a designation that unlocks the full spectrum of federal firefighting resources and signals near-peak demand on the nation's suppression capacity.

Scope of the 2026 Season

More than 28,700 wildland fire personnel are currently deployed across the country, with a disproportionate share committed to the Northwest Geographic Area. Fires in Oregon and Washington have collectively burned well over 2 million acres in 2026, placing this season on track to rival or exceed the historic 2020 fire year. Multiple Type 1 Incident Management Teams — the most qualified and fully staffed IMTs in the national system — are actively managing complex fires across the region.

The breadth of simultaneous incidents is stretching resource availability. Ordering queues for hand crews, engines, helicopters, and air tankers remain long, with some requests taking multiple operational periods to fill. Dispatch centers in Boise, Portland, and Wenatchee are coordinating closely with the National Interagency Coordination Center to prioritize life-safety threats.

Key Active Incidents

  • Big Grass Fire (Idaho/Oregon border): Exceeding 555,000 acres in Owyhee County, the largest active fire in the lower 48 states. Level 3 evacuation orders remain in effect across a wide swath of the high desert.
  • Sinlahekin Fire (Okanogan County, WA): Approximately 153,843 acres, now 44% contained after weeks of aggressive suppression work in northern Washington's shrub-steppe.
  • Tartar Fire (Washington County, ID): 158,027 acres near Weiser, reaching 87% containment — one of the few large fires showing significant progress.
  • Three Queens Fire (Kittitas County, WA): Over 3,500 acres burning near Lake Kachess with zero containment and Level 3 evacuations in place.
  • Austin and Mitchell Fires (Clackamas County, OR): Burning in the Clackamas River drainage on the Mt. Hood National Forest, prompting recreation closures and evacuation notices.

What National PL5 Means

At Preparedness Level 5, all available national resources are committed or on standby. The NIFC can mobilize military assets, international crews under treaty agreements with Canada and Australia, and can formally request mutual aid from state and local agencies. Federal agencies are authorized to use emergency procurement authorities to acquire additional aircraft, equipment, and supplies.

Residents across the Pacific Northwest are urged to maintain evacuation go-bags, monitor local emergency alerts, and check air quality before spending time outdoors. Sign up for your county's emergency alert system and follow official social media channels for the most current incident information.