The Pacific Northwest is deep in the throes of one of its most intense fire seasons in recent memory. As of Monday, July 27, 2026, the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) reported 95 large fires burning across the United States, with Oregon (10), Washington (4), and Idaho (5) collectively accounting for nearly a fifth of the national total. The Northwest Geographic Area alone holds 51 uncontained large fires — a number that has stretched firefighting infrastructure to its limits.

Preparedness Level 5: Maximum Mobilization

The National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group (NMAC) raised the National Preparedness Level to 5 on July 18, 2026 — the highest rating on a 1-to-5 scale — for the first time since October 2024. At PL5, all available national firefighting resources are committed or on standby, and agencies must compete for personnel, aircraft, and equipment through formal national ordering channels.

As of July 27, 25,796 firefighters and support personnel are engaged in fire activity nationwide, including 569 crews, 1,534 engines, and 158 helicopters. Eighteen Complex Incident Management Teams are currently committed in Oregon and Washington alone.

Oregon: The Hardest-Hit State

Oregon's active large fires span the state from the Cascade foothills to the high desert of the Great Basin. Notable incidents include:

  • Bench/Beachcomb Complex — 40,000+ combined acres near Warm Springs, Jefferson County; Level 3 (Go Now) evacuation orders in effect
  • Grasshopper Fire — 9,500+ acres in the Mount Hood National Forest, Wasco County; FEMA emergency funds authorized
  • Rowe Creek Complex — Burning across Wheeler, Wasco, and Crook counties with more than 1,100 firefighters assigned
  • Egypt Fire — 4,553 acres on the Malheur National Forest, 72% contained
  • Horse Ridge Fire — 831 acres on the Umatilla National Forest, 60% contained
  • Paradise Fire — 740 acres, 0% contained, 15 miles south of Pendleton
  • Castle Fire — 1,400 acres on the Umpqua National Forest, northeast of Tiller, 0% contained

Washington and Idaho Also Active

Washington state is tracking four large fires, including the Luna Fire (125 acres, 0% contained) and Border 2 Fire (325 acres, 0% contained) in North Cascades National Park, as well as a fast-moving new Sinlahekin Fire (600 acres) near Tonasket in Okanogan County. Idaho firefighters are managing five large incidents, including the Claremont Fire near Boise (6,606 acres, 90% contained) and the Upper Smith Fire in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest (1,184 acres, 15% contained).

Year-to-Date Context

By July 27, 2026, 42,379 fires had burned more than 4.1 million acres across the United States — well above the 10-year average of 3.35 million acres for this date. The Northwest's fire season is tracking as one of the worst on record, driven by an exceptionally dry spring, early snowmelt, and back-to-back lightning events in mid-July that sparked dozens of simultaneous ignitions.

Residents and visitors throughout Oregon, Washington, and Idaho are urged to monitor local fire agency websites, sign up for emergency alerts, and avoid all open burning. For real-time incident information, visit InciWeb at inciweb.nwcg.gov or the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center at gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc.