2026 Pacific Northwest Fire Season Preparedness Guide: What You Need to Do Now

With forecasters warning of an above-normal wildfire season across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho — and federal agencies having already implemented fire restrictions on public lands — now is the time to prepare. Whether you live in a wildland-urban interface community, plan to recreate on public lands, or simply want to protect your family, this guide outlines the most important steps to take before fire season peaks.

At Home: Create Defensible Space

Defensible space is the buffer between your home and the surrounding vegetation that gives firefighters a place to work — and your home a chance of surviving a fire even if firefighters aren't present.

Zone 1 (0–30 feet): Clear all dead plants, grass, and leaves. Remove any branches that hang over the roof or within 10 feet of your chimney. Keep lawns and grass mowed and watered. Move woodpiles at least 30 feet from structures.
Zone 2 (30–100 feet): Reduce the density of trees and shrubs. Cut grass low. Remove dead plant material. Ensure there are no "ladder fuels" — low branches that would allow fire to climb from the ground into tree canopies.

Know Your Evacuation Route

Every household in fire-prone areas of the Pacific Northwest should have a written evacuation plan with at least two routes out of the neighborhood. Practice the routes with all household members, including children.

Sign up for your county's emergency alert system (OregonAlert, WashingtonAlert, or your local county's notification system in Idaho)
Know whether your community has an evacuation level system — many Oregon and Washington counties use Level 1 (Be Ready), Level 2 (Be Set), and Level 3 (Go Now) terminology
Do not wait for a Level 3 order if conditions are deteriorating rapidly — earlier evacuation is safer evacuation

Prepare a Go-Bag

If you need to evacuate quickly, a pre-packed go-bag can save critical time. Include:

Medications (at least a 7-day supply) and medical equipment
Important documents (ID, insurance, passports) — or digital copies stored securely in the cloud
Phone chargers and portable battery packs
Water, food, and supplies for at least 72 hours
N95 masks for smoke protection
Cash in small bills
Supplies for pets and livestock

Smoke and Air Quality

Even if fire doesn't directly threaten your home, wildfire smoke is a serious health risk, particularly for children, the elderly, and those with respiratory or heart conditions. When smoke events occur:

Check AirNow.gov or your local county air quality agency for current Air Quality Index (AQI) readings
Stay indoors with windows and doors closed during smoke events
Use air purifiers with HEPA filters if available
Avoid strenuous outdoor activity when AQI is above 100 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups)
N95 or KN95 respirator masks — worn properly — can reduce smoke inhalation during brief unavoidable outdoor exposure

On Public Lands

Fire restrictions are now in effect on all BLM-administered lands in Oregon and Washington. Before any outdoor recreation this summer:

Check current fire restrictions at your destination via the BLM website or InciWeb
Ensure your vehicle is in good mechanical condition — overheated catalytic converters and dragging trailer chains are among the leading ignition sources for human-caused fires
Never park or idle on dry grass
Pack out all trash — glass bottles can focus sunlight and start fires
Report unattended fires immediately by calling 911