The Pacific Northwest is deep into a challenging fire season, with Oregon reporting six large uncontained fires, Washington one, and Idaho five as of July 13, 2026, according to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). Nationally, 46 large fires are burning across 13 states, consuming more than 700,000 acres combined and keeping the National Preparedness Level locked at 4 — the second-highest designation on the five-point scale.

Oregon: Multiple Incidents Strain Resources

Oregon is bearing some of the heaviest burden in the region. The East Evans Creek Road Fire in Jackson County has grown to more than 3,600 acres with only 5 percent containment, while the Olive Butte Fire near the historic mining town of Granite in Grant County triggered a statewide emergency response after forcing the entire town to evacuate. Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for both incidents within 24 hours of each other — the second and third invocations of the year — allowing the Oregon State Fire Marshal to mobilize statewide resources through the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System.

Fires burning near the Whitman National Forest in northeastern Oregon have also produced smoke drifting into southern Washington and western Idaho, adding a regional air quality dimension to the crisis.

Washington: Transfer Fire Threatens Chelan Hospital District

In Chelan County, the Transfer Fire erupted Sunday near Lake Chelan, burning rapidly through dry grass and brush directly behind the local hospital and prompting immediate Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation orders within the first hour of the incident. By Monday, Chelan County Emergency Management downgraded those orders to Level 2 "Get Set," indicating the fire had been partially checked, though residents remain on alert. US Highway 97 through the area was closed and subsequently reopened as containment improved.

The earlier Chelan Hills Fire near Orondo, which ignited during the Fourth of July weekend and burned roughly 800 acres, remains under investigation, with authorities offering a $25,000 reward for information about its origin.

Idaho: Five Large Fires Including Boise Foothills

Idaho's five large active fires include the Claremont Fire in the Boise Foothills, which grew to nearly 6,800 acres and triggered Level 3 evacuation orders in the Rocky Canyon area before crews executed a successful burnout operation along Boise Ridge Road. Investigators confirmed the fire was human-caused. The newly reported Cow Canyon Fire near Juniper (2,000 acres, 0% contained) and the Greer Fire near Orofino are also demanding attention.

Year-to-Date Statistics Paint a Grim Picture

NIFC data shows the U.S. has recorded 39,090 fires burning 3.58 million acres through July 13 — a significant increase over the same period in 2025 (2.46 million acres) and 2024 (3.02 million acres). More than 16,800 personnel are currently assigned to wildfire incidents nationwide, with 16 Complex Incident Management Teams and one National Incident Management Organization deployed across the West.

Fire managers are urging the public to observe all local burn restrictions, avoid parking vehicles on dry grass, and check AirNow.gov for current air quality conditions before going outdoors.