Weather & Fuels

The National Weather Service has issued Red Flag Warnings across central and eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and portions of Idaho through at least July 22, citing abundant lightning potential, gusty outflow winds, and relative humidity dropping to 10-15 percent. More dry thunderstorms are possible later this week.

A Red Flag Warning has been issued for portions of western Washington as dry lightning and strong southwesterly winds create critical fire weather conditions. Eastern Washington zones including the Okanogan Highlands, Kettle Mountains, and Colville Reservation have also seen elevated fire weather this week.

Red Flag Warnings are in effect across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho as downslope winds, extreme low humidity, and potential dry lightning create dangerous fire conditions across the Pacific Northwest.

Washington's fourth consecutive drought emergency, snowpack at 50% of normal, and a strengthening El Nino have created fire conditions running three to four weeks ahead of schedule. Fire scientists warn the worst of the 2026 season is still ahead.

Red Flag Warnings are in effect across eastern and western Washington as an offshore low brings dry lightning threats to the North Cascades. A formal NIFC Fuels and Fire Behavior Advisory warns that PNW fuels are curing at mid-August levels due to record-low snowpack.

A Red Flag Warning is in effect for parts of western Washington Thursday as dry lightning and strong southwesterly winds create critical fire weather. NIFC says PNW fuels are cured to mid-August levels.

Critical fire weather conditions — high temperatures, low humidity, and gusty winds — continue to grip the Pacific Northwest. While a monsoonal moisture surge may bring some rainfall to eastern Oregon and the northern Great Basin, it also risks new dry lightning ignitions across already stressed landscapes.

Red Flag Warnings are in effect across the Inland Northwest, with afternoon relative humidity dropping to 15-30%, south winds gusting to 30 mph, and temperatures 10-15 degrees above normal — prime conditions for explosive fire spread.

Red Flag Warnings in south-central Oregon and a Fire Weather Watch for the Columbia Basin reflect a dangerous fire weather pattern: extreme heat, 5-15% humidity, gusty winds, and dry thunderstorms.

Red Flag Warnings are in effect across central and eastern Washington and northeastern Oregon, with temperatures extreme, winds gusty at 12-30 mph, and afternoon humidity as low as 5-15%. Dangerous fire weather is forecast to persist through the coming week.

Red Flag Warnings are in effect across much of eastern Oregon, central and eastern Washington, and parts of Idaho, with humidity dropping to 5-15% and gusts to 30 mph. Dry thunderstorms from monsoonal moisture are driving new fire starts across the Inland Northwest.

Red Flag Warnings are in effect across southern and eastern Oregon and parts of Washington and Idaho, with dry lightning, low humidity, and gusty winds creating dangerous conditions for new wildfire starts. Three new large fires were confirmed in the Northwest on July 9 alone following dry thunderstorm activity.

Dangerous fire weather conditions — including Red Flag Warnings, humidity values as low as 10%, and wind gusts up to 50 mph — are driving rapid fire growth and new ignitions across Central and Eastern Washington, Eastern Oregon, and Southern Idaho.

Red flag warnings cover parts of southern and eastern Oregon, with the Columbia River Gorge and Kittitas Valley seeing gusts to 40 mph. Dry thunderstorms threaten new ignitions across the region through mid-week.

The NWS Pendleton office has issued Red Flag Warnings through Tuesday evening across eastern Oregon and the Columbia Basin, citing 7-20% humidity, potential 50 mph gusts, and dry lightning — a dangerous combination with fires already burning.

NIFC's July–October seasonal outlook elevates northwest Washington and west-central Oregon to above-normal wildfire risk, citing drought, early fuel curing, and warmer-than-normal June temperatures. An active summer lies ahead.

NIFC's latest seasonal outlook raises west-central Oregon to above-normal fire risk for July while northwest Washington remains elevated. Dry thunderstorms, critically low humidity, and above-normal temperatures are driving dangerous fire weather conditions across the Pacific Northwest this week.

The National Weather Service issued Red Flag Warnings for July 4 covering the Okanogan Valley, Central Washington Cascades slopes, and Colville Reservation, as breezy westerly winds and single-digit to 20% relative humidity create explosive fire conditions across the Pacific Northwest.

NIFC is forecasting above-normal significant fire potential across the Pacific Northwest through at least July and into August, driven by low snowpack, drought, early fuel curing, and a persistent high-pressure pattern. The July 4th weekend brings elevated ignition risk.

A strengthening high-pressure ridge, curing grasses, and the ignition hazards of Fourth of July celebrations are combining to create elevated wildfire risk across the Pacific Northwest this holiday weekend. Fire officials are urging extreme caution with campfires, fireworks, and any spark-producing activities.