Three significant wildfires ignited across southeastern Washington over the weekend of June 14–15, 2026, sending crews from multiple agencies scrambling just days before the official start of summer. The fires are burning in Yakima, Franklin, and Walla Walla counties, collectively scorching more than 14,000 acres and prompting evacuations, road closures, and aerial firefighting operations.
Tule Fire — Yakima County (5,000 Acres)
The largest fire by acreage is the Tule Fire, burning on Bureau of Indian Affairs (Yakama Agency) land off 4170 Tule Road approximately five miles south of Toppenish. As of Monday morning, June 15, the National Interagency Fire Center reported the fire at 5,000 acres with 0% containment. Fire behavior has been described as extreme, with running and uphill runs driven by wind. Structures and critical infrastructure are threatened in the area.
The fire forced an extended closure of U.S. Highway 97 south of Toppenish on Sunday. Crews worked through the night to establish containment lines. No evacuation orders were issued for the immediate vicinity, according to Tony Miller with Yakima Valley Emergency Management, though residents were urged to be prepared to leave quickly if conditions change.
Three additional smaller fires were also reported on the Yakima Training Center over the weekend, further taxing local and regional resources.
Twin Sisters Fire — Walla Walla County (8,262 Acres)
The Twin Sisters Fire, managed under the Washington State Fire Marshal's Office, is burning approximately five miles south of Wallula Junction — just across the Columbia River from Benton County. As of Monday morning, the fire stood at 8,262 acres according to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center. Active, wind-driven fire behavior has threatened structures and resulted in area, road, and trail closures throughout the weekend.
U.S. Highway 730 was closed during peak fire activity but reopened to traffic in both directions Sunday night. Incident managers have asked the public to stay clear of the area. The Southeast Washington Interagency Incident Management Team confirmed crews and patrol resources were working through the night Sunday. Resources from the Oregon side of the Columbia are also committed to this incident.
Juniper Dunes Fire — Franklin County (600+ Acres)
The Juniper Dunes Fire is burning in the Juniper Dunes recreation and wilderness area northeast of Pasco — a region popular with off-road vehicle users, hikers, and equestrians. The fire was reported at more than 600 acres as of Sunday afternoon and grew rapidly from initial attack. Multiple fire engines were dispatched near Kruse Road late Saturday, with the fire burning primarily northeast of Juniper Dunes Road by Sunday morning.
The Southeast Washington Interagency Incident Management Team confirmed that additional incident management resources were arriving Sunday afternoon to assist with both the Juniper Dunes and Twin Sisters incidents.
Coordinated Response
Washington state strike teams have been ordered to assist with all three fires. Aerial resources — fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters — have been used extensively, drawing water from the Yakima, Snake, and Columbia rivers. Columbia School District in Burbank is serving as a staging area and temporary base for crews working the Twin Sisters incident. All three fires remain active and uncontained heading into Tuesday, with dangerous fire weather forecast to persist.