Eastern Washington is battling two major wildfire fronts simultaneously this week, with the Kaiser Canyon Fire in Okanogan County and the Lyons Ferry Fire in the southeast corner of the state combining to burn nearly 97,000 acres as of July 21, 2026. Both fires remain largely uncontained and are threatening homes, crops, infrastructure, and tribal lands.

Kaiser Canyon Fire — Okanogan County / Colville Reservation

The Kaiser Canyon Fire, believed to have been ignited by lightning on or around July 16, has grown to 62,872 acres with zero percent containment as of Sunday night, July 19. The fire is burning in and near the Colville Indian Reservation in Okanogan County, prompting significant protective actions for communities in the area.

Level 3 “Go Now” evacuations were ordered near the town of Nespelem, a community on the Colville Reservation, over the weekend. Road closures are in effect on State Route 155, Cache Creek Road, and Buffalo Lake Road. More than 500 personnel are now assigned to the Kaiser Canyon Fire, supported by engines, bulldozers, and aerial resources.

The fire is burning through terrain that includes grass, shrub, and timber fuel types, and has demonstrated the capacity for rapid, wind-driven runs under the region’s hot and dry conditions. Residents in surrounding communities at Levels 1 and 2 should be prepared to leave on short notice.

Lyons Ferry Fire — Southeast Washington

The Lyons Ferry Fire started on the evening of July 15 and quickly exploded to more than 34,200 acres, burning in the grass and shrub country of southeastern Washington near the confluence of the Snake and Palouse rivers. The fire has threatened homes, agricultural lands, and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife facilities in the area.

The Washington State Patrol authorized State Fire Mobilization for the Lyons Ferry Fire, triggering a statewide mutual aid response that brings additional engine crews and structural protection resources from jurisdictions across Washington. The Lyons Ferry Fire has also been generating significant smoke, with the Washington Smoke Blog noting the blaze as a major contributor to poor air quality in the Spokane corridor.

Broader Washington Fire Picture

The Northwest Interagency Coordination Center is tracking a total of 8 large fires in Washington as of July 21, with the Kaiser Canyon and Lyons Ferry fires representing the two largest active incidents. The combined fire activity in eastern Washington mirrors the drought-fueled conditions that have enabled rapid spread: moderate and severe drought now covers the majority of the state, and soil moisture is at critically low levels across eastern portions.

Washington Governor’s Office has been in close coordination with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Military Department as the fire season intensifies. Additional Type 1 and Type 2 Incident Management Teams have been ordered to support the growing number of complex incidents.

What Residents Should Know

  • Kaiser Canyon Fire: Check Okanogan County Emergency Management and the Colville Confederated Tribes for current evacuation levels and road closures.
  • Lyons Ferry Fire: Monitor Franklin and Columbia County emergency management for updates.
  • Sign up for WA Alert (waAlert.wa.gov) for emergency notifications across Washington state.
  • Have a go bag ready and know your evacuation route — conditions can change within hours.

Both fires will continue to be closely monitored as additional red flag conditions are forecast for the region through at least Wednesday, July 22.