May is National Wildfire Awareness Month, and with the 2026 fire season shaping up to be potentially one of the most active in recent Pacific Northwest history, fire agencies and emergency managers are urging residents to use this month to take concrete preparedness steps — before the first evacuation orders are issued.

Why 2026 Is Different

Several converging factors make early preparedness especially important this year:

  • Washington's snowpack is among the lowest on record, with melt-out occurring roughly a month ahead of schedule
  • A statewide drought was declared in Washington on April 8
  • Central Oregon's Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests are entering Stage 1 fire restrictions as early as May 18
  • NIFC's seasonal outlook flags the Idaho Panhandle and Nez Perce-Bitterroot National Forests at above-normal fire risk for June
  • Nationally, over 1.9 million acres have already burned in 2026 — well above the ten-year average for this point in the year

Create Defensible Space

One of the most impactful things a homeowner can do is create and maintain defensible space — the area around a structure that is cleared of combustible vegetation and debris. Oregon and Washington both recommend a minimum of 30 feet of clearance around structures, with additional steps in the 30-100 foot zone to reduce fire intensity.

Practical steps include:

  • Remove dead vegetation, dry leaves, and pine needles from roofs and gutters
  • Clear brush and dead wood within 30 feet of the home
  • Space plants and trees to interrupt potential fire pathways
  • Store firewood and propane tanks at least 30 feet from structures
  • Ensure address numbers are clearly visible from the road

Know Your Evacuation Zone

Oregon and Washington use a tiered evacuation warning system — Level 1 (Ready), Level 2 (Set), and Level 3 (Go) — to communicate evacuation urgency. Residents should know their evacuation zone designation before an emergency occurs. County emergency management websites and apps like the Washington Emergency Management Division's "Know Your Zone" tool can help identify your zone.

Prepare a go-bag with essentials including medications, important documents, phone chargers, clothing, water, and food for at least 72 hours. If you have livestock or pets, plan for their evacuation as well.

Sign Up for Emergency Alerts

Emergency alerts are your first line of warning in a fast-moving wildfire event. Sign up for alerts through your county's emergency notification system. Key alert systems in the region include:

  • Oregon: County-level AlertWildfire and OEM notifications
  • Washington: WA-Alert and county emergency management systems
  • Idaho: Idaho Alert statewide notification system

Stay Informed During Fire Season

Monitor airnow.gov for real-time air quality data during smoke events. Check InciWeb (inciweb.wildfire.gov) for updates on active incidents. Follow your local fire agency social media accounts for the most timely information during fast-moving events.

"The best way to celebrate Wildfire Awareness Month is to spend a little time brushing up on home preparedness and wildfire prevention," said Washington Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove in a recent statement. The investment of a few hours now could make all the difference when fire season peaks.