PNW Focus
Washington's Early Fire Season: Juniper Dunes and Snake River Fires Add to Growing List
The Juniper Dunes Fire northeast of Pasco and the Snake River Fire near Wallula add to Washington's already taxed firefighting resources, joining the Tule Road and Upriver fires in a rare four-fire simultaneous siege of the state.
PNW Focus
Oregon Governor Kotek Declares Wildfire State of Emergency as Season Begins in Earnest
Governor Tina Kotek declared a wildfire state of emergency June 16, activating state resources and the National Guard as Oregon faces 414 fires already burning 8,000+ acres amid record low snowpack and widespread drought.
PNW Focus
Wildfire Preparedness: What Pacific Northwest Residents Need to Do Right Now
With active wildfires burning in southeastern Washington and an above-normal fire season forecast, now is the time for Pacific Northwest residents to complete defensible space work, prepare go-bags, and review evacuation plans.
PNW Focus
2026 Fire Season Outlook: Pacific Northwest Faces Above-Normal Risk as Early Fires Confirm Forecasts
Federal fire weather forecasters warned that significant fire potential would increase across the Pacific Northwest in June — and weekend fires in southeastern Washington are already bearing that out. A warm, dry summer lies ahead.
PNW Focus
Oregon Enters Statewide Fire Season Today: Burn Bans Take Effect June 15 Across the State
Oregon officially enters statewide fire season today, June 15, with burn bans taking effect across ODF-protected lands. Washington County, Portland, Lincoln County, and others have issued concurrent local burn bans as an early heat wave elevates fire danger.
PNW Focus
2026 Fire Season Outlook: Above-Average Start Raises Concerns for Pacific Northwest Summer
The 2026 fire season is off to an above-average start nationally, and conditions across the Pacific Northwest — including below-average snowpack, early cured fuels, and drought — point to an active summer. Fire managers urge preparedness now.
PNW Focus
2026 Fire Season Outlook: Above-Normal Wildfire Potential Coming to the Pacific Northwest
NIFC's 2026 outlook forecasts above-normal wildfire potential for the Pacific Northwest through September, fueled by record-low snowpack, early fuel curing, and a developing El Nino. Fire season is already tracking worse than expected.
PNW Focus
Idaho Panhandle and Inland Northwest on Track for Above-Normal Fire Season
The NIFC outlook places the Idaho Panhandle and Inland Northwest in above-normal fire potential territory starting in July, with an El Nino developing and fuels already dry well ahead of the historical pace.
PNW Focus
Fire Preparedness Checklist: What Pacific Northwest Residents Need to Do Before Fire Season Peaks
From signing up for emergency alerts to creating defensible space and building a go-bag, here is what Pacific Northwest residents in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho need to do now before fire season peaks.
PNW Focus
Oregon Officially Enters Fire Season June 15 as Extreme Heat Grips the Region
The Oregon Department of Forestry announced Oregon's statewide fire season will begin June 15, coinciding with a dangerous heat wave that has fire officials on high alert and prompting burn bans across multiple counties.
PNW Focus
Oregon Emergency Management Urges Residents to Build Evacuation Plans Now
With wildfire season arriving early and fire agencies already responding to multiple small fires across northern and eastern Oregon, the Oregon Office of Emergency Management is urging all Oregonians to have an evacuation plan in place before they need it.
PNW Focus
Portland Area Burn Ban Takes Effect June 15 as Region Braces for Fire Season
Portland Fire and Rescue, Washington County, and Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue are implementing summer burn bans beginning June 15, prohibiting campfires, fire pits, and yard debris burning as extreme heat arrives and Oregon officially enters fire season.
PNW Focus
Pacific Northwest Wildfire Preparedness: What You Need to Do Right Now
With above-normal fire potential forecast across the Pacific Northwest through September, fire officials urge residents to know their evacuation zone, build a go-bag, and create defensible space now.
PNW Focus
Portland Metro Rolls Out Address-Searchable Wildfire Evacuation Maps Ahead of Fire Season
Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington counties have launched address-searchable wildfire evacuation maps to help Portland-area residents know their zone and routes before fire season peaks.
PNW Focus
Human Causes Dominate Early 2026 Fire Starts as Public Heads Outdoors for Summer
With fuels drier than normal across the PNW heading into summer recreation season, fire agencies are urging the public to practice fire safety. Human ignitions — escaped debris burns, campfires, and equipment sparks — are the leading cause of early-season wildfires.
PNW Focus
Know Your Evacuation Level: A PNW Wildfire Preparedness Guide for 2026
With the 2026 PNW fire season ramping up early, here is everything you need to know about Oregon and Washington evacuation levels, building a go bag, creating defensible space, and signing up for local alerts.
PNW Focus
2026 PNW Fire Season Outlook: Severe Drought, Low Snowpack Set Stage for Active Summer
With 87-91% of weather stations in Washington and Oregon flagging snow drought, snowpack at 50% of normal, and an early melt-out, the Pacific Northwest faces one of the most dangerous pre-season fire weather setups in years.
PNW Focus
Summit Creek Fire Near 93% Contained After Threatening Structures in South-Central Idaho
The Summit Creek Fire on Idaho's Sawtooth National Forest has reached 93 percent containment at 1,887 acres after threatening structures near Oakley following a rapid early-season start on May 25.
PNW Focus
Chestnut Fire Burns 1,508 Acres Near Chelan Butte, Washington; 50% Contained as of June 9
The Chestnut Fire ignited June 6 in the Chelan Butte area of Washington, growing rapidly before crews achieved 50% containment at 1,508 acres by June 8. Energy infrastructure remains threatened. Managed by Washington DNR Southeast Region.
PNW Focus
North Idaho Faces Elevated Wildfire Risk as Federal Staffing Gaps Deepen Concerns
North Idaho's Kootenai County faces above-normal fire potential in August 2026, with fire experts warning that federal staffing reductions are leaving fewer resources for prevention, planning, and response. Residents in the wildland-urban interface are urged to prepare now.