AccuWeather and federal fire forecasters are warning that 2026 could be one of the most dangerous wildfire seasons in years across the Pacific Northwest, driven by a winter that set records for warmth and produced the lowest snowpack ever measured across much of Oregon and Washington.

Oregon's 2026 winter season was one of the warmest on record dating back to the 1890s, according to state climatologist Larry O'Neill, who described the snow drought as historically unprecedented. "As far as we can tell, there is no historical equivalent — it was slightly worse than all the other big snow drought years we've had," O'Neill said. With snowpack serving as a natural reservoir that feeds soil moisture and keeps vegetation green well into summer, the absence of a meaningful snowpack means grasses, brush, and forest fuels across the region are drying out far earlier than normal.

AccuWeather's 2026 National Forecast

AccuWeather's newly released national wildfire forecast projects between 65,000 and 80,000 wildfires burning an estimated 5.5 million to 8 million acres across the United States in 2026. For context, 77,850 fires burned 5.1 million acres in 2025. While the total number of fires may be comparable or even slightly lower this year, AccuWeather meteorologists warn that individual fires are expected to grow larger and spread more rapidly before crews can contain them — resulting in more acres burned per fire event.

AccuWeather meteorologist Brian Lada wrote that "drought, above-average temperatures and below-average snowpack will set the stage for a growing fire danger as the summer progresses." The company identified the highest wildfire risk zones as the Southwest, Rockies, Great Basin, and Interior Northwest — a category that explicitly includes portions of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.

Oregon and Washington Already Seeing Early-Season Activity

The first significant wildfire disruptions of Oregon's 2026 fire season have already arrived. Last weekend, fires along the Interstate 84 corridor near Biggs Junction forced highway closures and smoke-related vehicle crashes. The Country Meadows Fire burned 250 acres through dry grasslands in Benton County, Washington. And earlier in May, the 43-acre Trout Creek Fire near Sisters and the Pine Mountain Fire near Bend demonstrated that fire ignitions are no longer confined to the heat of July and August.

Counties across Oregon are already declaring drought emergencies. Jackson and Josephine counties in Southern Oregon have implemented seasonal fire prevention restrictions. The Oregon Department of Emergency Management is urging all residents to treat this as a high-alert season.

What This Means for Residents

Fire officials are urging residents throughout the Pacific Northwest to take the following steps now:

  • Sign up for county emergency alert systems
  • Clear defensible space around homes and outbuildings
  • Prepare go-bags with at least 72 hours of supplies
  • Identify two or more evacuation routes from your property
  • Review and update wildfire insurance coverage

The combination of historically poor snowpack, persistent drought, and early-season fire activity is a clear signal that 2026 demands preparation — not procrastination.