PNW Focus

Burn bans and fire restrictions are in effect across multiple Oregon and Washington counties and fire districts as the 2026 fire season arrives early. Central Oregon federal lands are at EXTREME danger. Here's what residents need to know and do now.

Governor Tina Kotek signed Executive Order 26-10 on June 15, activating state emergency powers as the Oregon Department of Forestry formally opened fire season ahead of a potentially severe summer.

With fire season in full swing and multiple blazes already burning across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, now is the time to review your family evacuation plan and emergency kit.

The Tule Road Fire near Toppenish has grown to more than 24,000 acres with 75 percent containment, while several other fires continue burning across eastern and central Washington.

With critical fire weather persisting across the Pacific Northwest, fire officials urge homeowners to create defensible space, build go-bags, and sign up for emergency alerts before the next fire ignites nearby.

The Gold Run Fire near Kellogg, Idaho grew from 50 acres to 300 acres before reaching 75% containment by June 21. Evacuations have been downgraded as crews make steady progress in the Silver Valley.

Washington State is experiencing its most active early-season wildfire outbreak in years, with five fires burning simultaneously across Eastern Washington. A comprehensive rundown of the Kartar, Roza, Tucannon, Upriver, and Juniper Dunes fires.

The Pacific Northwest entered fire season weeks ahead of schedule in 2026, driven by record-low snowpack, widespread drought, and early fuel curing. With multiple large fires already burning and NIFC at Preparedness Level 3, fire experts warn this season could be one of the most challenging on record.

With fire season just getting started, the United States has already burned 2.6 million acres in 2026 — nearly double the 10-year average. Drought, early fuel curing, and above-normal temperatures are setting the stage for a severe fire summer in the Pacific Northwest.

The Juniper Dunes Fire northeast of Pasco and the Snake River Fire near Wallula add to Washington's already taxed firefighting resources, joining the Tule Road and Upriver fires in a rare four-fire simultaneous siege of the state.

Governor Tina Kotek declared a wildfire state of emergency June 16, activating state resources and the National Guard as Oregon faces 414 fires already burning 8,000+ acres amid record low snowpack and widespread drought.

With active wildfires burning in southeastern Washington and an above-normal fire season forecast, now is the time for Pacific Northwest residents to complete defensible space work, prepare go-bags, and review evacuation plans.

Federal fire weather forecasters warned that significant fire potential would increase across the Pacific Northwest in June — and weekend fires in southeastern Washington are already bearing that out. A warm, dry summer lies ahead.

Oregon officially enters statewide fire season today, June 15, with burn bans taking effect across ODF-protected lands. Washington County, Portland, Lincoln County, and others have issued concurrent local burn bans as an early heat wave elevates fire danger.

The 2026 fire season is off to an above-average start nationally, and conditions across the Pacific Northwest — including below-average snowpack, early cured fuels, and drought — point to an active summer. Fire managers urge preparedness now.

NIFC's 2026 outlook forecasts above-normal wildfire potential for the Pacific Northwest through September, fueled by record-low snowpack, early fuel curing, and a developing El Nino. Fire season is already tracking worse than expected.

The NIFC outlook places the Idaho Panhandle and Inland Northwest in above-normal fire potential territory starting in July, with an El Nino developing and fuels already dry well ahead of the historical pace.

From signing up for emergency alerts to creating defensible space and building a go-bag, here is what Pacific Northwest residents in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho need to do now before fire season peaks.

The Oregon Department of Forestry announced Oregon's statewide fire season will begin June 15, coinciding with a dangerous heat wave that has fire officials on high alert and prompting burn bans across multiple counties.

With wildfire season arriving early and fire agencies already responding to multiple small fires across northern and eastern Oregon, the Oregon Office of Emergency Management is urging all Oregonians to have an evacuation plan in place before they need it.