Fire officials, state climatologists, and forecasters are issuing some of their most serious warnings in years about the upcoming Pacific Northwest wildfire season. Driven by record-low winter snowpack, a statewide drought emergency in Washington, and one of Oregon's warmest winters on record, the region is entering the summer fire season in a deeply vulnerable state.

Oregon: Worst Snow Year in Modern Records

Oregon's 2025–2026 winter was, by multiple measures, historically catastrophic for snowpack. Oregon state climatologist Larry O'Neill described it in stark terms: "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." Snowpack totals across the Cascades and other mountain ranges came in well below the lowest previously recorded values in some datasets stretching back to the 1940s.

Governor Tina Kotek convened a cross-agency briefing in early May to warn Oregonians about the "potentially dangerous" fire year ahead. Officials from the Oregon Department of Forestry, the Oregon Office of Emergency Management, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, and the State Fire Marshal all participated, presenting a unified message: prepare now.

The Oregon Department of Forestry officially opened fire season in Jackson and Josephine Counties on May 15. Debris burning has been banned in many districts since mid-May. ODF is urging residents to clear defensible space, avoid outdoor burning, and never leave a campfire unattended.

Washington: Fourth Consecutive Drought Emergency

The Washington Department of Ecology declared a statewide drought emergency for the fourth consecutive year. Snowpack across the state is sitting at just 50% of normal, and melt-out has occurred approximately one month earlier than normal — meaning the landscape will be significantly drier, earlier, than in typical years.

Washington Department of Natural Resources officials told reporters that the state is "burning longer and moving faster" compared to historical averages. State climatologists and fire officials are pointing to low snowpack, persistent drought, and early-season fire activity as indicators of a potentially severe season.

Washington has restored some state-level wildfire funding following last year's legislative session, and DNR has been working to pre-position crews and equipment in high-risk counties in Eastern Washington. However, federal funding gaps — particularly from stalled Community Wildfire Defense Grant disbursements — are complicating local preparedness efforts.

AccuWeather Projects 5.5–8 Million Acres Nationally

AccuWeather's 2026 fire season forecast projects between 65,000 and 80,000 wildfires nationally, burning an estimated 5.5 to 8 million acres. 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 Interior Northwest — including much of eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Idaho — is highlighted as a region of elevated concern.

What Residents Should Do Now

Emergency management officials across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho are urging residents in fire-prone areas to take the following steps before fire season peaks:

  • Create and maintain at least 30 feet of defensible space around all structures
  • Build or update a go-bag with at least 72 hours of supplies
  • Sign up for county emergency alert systems
  • Know at least two evacuation routes from your home
  • Avoid outdoor burning during fire weather watches and warnings
  • Never park on dry grass, which can ignite from vehicle exhaust

Conditions this year are not typical. Given the fuel state across the region, a single ignition during a wind event could produce a fast-moving, large fire. Preparation now can save lives and property when the heat of summer arrives.