An active and dangerous fire weather pattern continues to grip the Pacific Northwest as of August 5, 2026, with multiple Red Flag Warnings in effect across Oregon and Washington. Forecasters with the National Weather Service have flagged high-risk fire potential from the Columbia River Gorge to the North Cascades, driven by a strengthening thermal trough, hot temperatures, critically low relative humidity, and gusty winds.

Particularly Dangerous Situation Warning Over the Weekend

The extreme fire weather that ignited major fires near Spokane and across eastern Oregon over August 1-2 was preceded by a Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) Red Flag Warning — the NWS's most urgent alert level — issued for large portions of eastern Washington and northeastern Oregon. This rare warning, which covers areas including Spokane and Pendleton, signals conditions capable of producing explosive, uncontrollable fire behavior even on small ignitions. The warning proved accurate as fires ignited and spread rapidly across both states.

Current Warnings: Columbia River Gorge and Western Cascades

The National Weather Service Portland issued a Red Flag Warning valid from Tuesday, August 4 at 11 a.m. through Wednesday, August 5 at 8 p.m. for the Western Columbia River Gorge in both Oregon and Washington. Forecasters also flagged a high-risk fire window in the region from Albany south to Eugene, driven by dry east winds of 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph creating conditions favorable for rapid fire spread.

A thermal trough deepening along the Pacific Coast is expected to push hot, dry, and unstable air westward across the Cascades, expanding fire risk into areas of western Oregon and Washington that are less accustomed to severe wildfire conditions.

Heat Advisory in Effect

A Heat Advisory was issued beginning Tuesday noon for the Willamette Valley and surrounding areas, with temperatures forecast to surge into the 90s and potentially exceed 100°F in some inland locations. The combination of heat advisory and Red Flag Warning conditions creates a compounded risk: the same weather that drives fire spread can harm individuals attempting to evacuate or conduct firefighting operations.

Forecast Outlook

NIFC Predictive Services forecasts continued above-normal fire potential across most of the northwestern United States through the remainder of August, per the August 1 monthly outlook. Hot, dry, and unstable conditions are expected to persist with minimum relative humidity as low as 3 to 15 percent across much of the West. Relief in the form of meaningful precipitation is not currently in the forecast for the Pacific Northwest.

  • PDS Red Flag Warning issued August 1 for eastern WA and northeastern OR
  • Active Red Flag Warning: Western Columbia River Gorge (through Wednesday, Aug. 5)
  • Minimum RH: 3–15% across much of the Inland Northwest
  • Forecast temperatures: 90s-100s for Willamette Valley and inland areas
  • August fire potential outlook: Above normal for the entire Northwest

The latest fire weather forecasts are available at weather.gov. Outdoor burning is prohibited across most of the region under current fire restrictions.