Pacific Northwest Region of the Forest Service has some of the most breathtakingly beautiful areas on Earth ranging from grasslands to lush forests & beaches.
After 44 days at Preparedness Level (PL) 5, the Northwest has decreased to PL4, but fire season is far from over. You can help by continuing to take steps to prevent wildfires. Know Before You Go. Recreating in a recently burned area? Stay alert for hazards.
A low pressure weather system could bring dry lightning to the central Washington Cascades. Very dry fuels with lightning increase the risk of fire potential. Resources are prepositioned for anticipated initial attack. You play a critical role in preventing wildfires.
A new Pacific Northwest Fuels and Fire Behavior Advisory has been issued by NWCC Predictive Services in conjunction with state and federal partners effective August 25, 2026.
Full advisory can be viewed here: tinyurl.com/mr3cfbh3
Firefighters are engaged in initial attack & responding to increased activity on existing large fires.
Dry conditions, hot temperatures, gusty winds & potential for lightning; there is a greater risk of significant fires.
Do your part in preventing human-caused wildfires.
Isolated thunderstorms are forecast this week followed by warmer, drier conditions.
Holdover fires are anticipated from over 1,000 lightning strikes that recently occurred across OR and WA.
Stay alert and help prevent fires by avoiding activities that can ignite dry fuels.
New Pacific Northwest Fuels and Fire Behavior Advisory has been issued by NWCC Predictive Services in conjunction with state and federal partners effective August 11, 2026.
Full advisory can be viewed on gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/content/p…
24 of 55 large wildfires burning in OR & WA are impacting National Forest lands.
Slightly cooler temperatures are forecast, but thunderstorms return late this week with potential for new ignitions.
Help prevent human-caused wildfires by following fire restrictions in your area.
Fire potential is high with hot, dry, windy conditions forecast this week. As winds turn westerly, smoke will likely remain east of Cascades. Stay informed at fire.airnow.gov. Practicing safe fire prevention is key so firefighters can focus on suppressing existing fires.
A new Pacific Northwest Fuels and Fire Behavior Advisory has been issued by NWCC Predictive Services in conjunction with state and federal partners.
The full advisory can be viewed at gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/content/p…
Northwest crews remain focused on rapid initial attack as the region stays the nation’s top priority. So far, 464 of 520 fires on National Forest lands are contained (89%). Please follow restrictions and avoid spark‑producing activities to prevent human‑caused fires.
Lightning activity has already produced more that 9,000 strikes across OR and WA, with more lightning expected today. Much of the region is under a Red Flag Warning - please follow local fire restrictions to help prevent human-caused fires during these dry and windy conditions.
Smoky skies? ☁️
For the most up to date information about smoke and air quality in your area visit: fire.airnow.gov/
Learn how to stay safe from wildfire smoke and be smoke ready at: epa.gov/wildfires/smoke-read…
The Northwest Geographic Area is now at a Preparedness Level 3.
Firefighting resources are positioned to ensure a rapid, risk-informed suppression response.
Fire danger is high-very high. S, S-central, and E OR may see thunderstorms that are capable of sparking new wildfires.
Fall has arrived, but fire season still remains. Even as temps cool, wildfire risks remain active. Light winds & warmer conditions are forecast, and moderate fire behavior is still possible. Some restrictions on national forests have been lifted, but caution is still essential.
Warm and dry weather will temporarily increase fire behavior potential. Risk of new significant fire starts remains low. Initial attack operations are expected to continue due to recent lightning activity. The Northwest remains a top national priority.
Cooler weather & rainfall have helped moderate fire potential, yet potential for active fire behavior remains in areas that haven’t received meaningful rainfall. Continue to do your part to prevent human-caused wildfires!
ALT A helicopter in a field near a forested area with text that reads: "Cooler weather and rainfall have helped moderate fire potential, however, the potential for active fire behavior remains in areas that haven’t received meaningful rainfall.
Fire managers continuously evaluate resources to ensure adequate initial attack response and reallocate resources to higher priority incidents as necessary.
Cooler weather has arrived, but fire season is still here. Continue to do your part to prevent human-caused wildfires."
Warmer weather and thunderstorm activity has elevated fire behavior across the Pacific Northwest.
For more information visit fs.usda.gov/r06/newsroom/rel…
With rising temperatures and increased thunderstorm activity, wildfire risk remains elevated regionally. Initial attack resources remain ready and prepared to respond to new fires. Currently eight large wildfires are affecting National Forest lands in the Pacific Northwest.
Warmer and drier weather returns to Oregon and Washington this week. As fuels continue to dry, the potential for large wildfires increases. Pacific Northwest firefighting resources remain staffed and ready, even as crews support wildfire response efforts across the country.
Currently, two large fires are impacting national forest lands in the Pacific Northwest. High winds are expected today, creating conditions where wildfires can spread rapidly. Loose trailer chains and worn or underinflated tires can throw sparks that ignite roadside wildfires.
As August begins, fire weather forecasters predict higher than average temperatures will continue to dry fuels in the region and, along with lightning, cause numerous natural fire starts across Oregon and Washington.
Wildfire Snapshot - August 6, 2025: Recent thunderstorms brought cooler temperatures and rain, helping firefighters contain new fire starts and make progress on ongoing large wildfires. Hot, dry weather returns this weekend increasing the potential for new fires.
Currently, four large fires are impacting national forest lands in the Pacific Northwest. Widespread lightning is leading to an increase of new fire starts across eastern Oregon and Washington.
Currently, seven large fires are impacting national forest lands in the Pacific Northwest with a potential for new starts from thunderstorms east of the Cascades. Let’s all do our part to prevent human-caused fires – for our communities, firefighters and incredible landscapes.
July 17, 2025
With dry, hot conditions in much of the PNW, many forests will elevate Public Use Restrictions and Industrial Fire Precaution Levels. Help firefighters by being careful with campfires. Never leave one unattended and ensure coals are cool to the touch when leaving.
We’re hiring! Incident Support Cache positions available in La Grande, OR and Wenatchee, WA. Fire cache employees support emergency responders who protect our communities. Apply on USAJOBS.gov through July 18, 2025. Visit fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/… details.
ALT Wildland firefighters carry firefighting equipment through the forest.
Beginning June 20, the popular USDA Forest Service Annual Northwest Forest Pass will be available for online purchase through recreation.gov.
For more information visit fs.usda.gov/r06/newsroom/rel…
As fire season approaches, it’s important to know how to find fire information online about wildfires in your area. Inciweb is the official source of information for wildfires. Visit www.inciweb.wildfire.govto learn more.
As fire season approaches, it’s important to know how to find fire information online about wildfires in your area. Inciweb is the official source of information for wildfires. Visit www.inciweb.wildfire.govto learn more.
Keep your campfire from becoming a wildfire! Help us protect our wildlands and communities by checking ahead for fire restrictions. Where fires are allowed, enjoy this favorite outdoor pastime safely.
As Americans take time to honor our nation’s fallen service members this Memorial Day weekend, many will also spend time exploring America’s public lands. Please follow these safety tips to help you plan for a great holiday weekend on your national forests shorturl.at/lpRe8
Camping season is just around the corner. Make sure you know how to build and properly extinguish your campfires. Do your part and help prevent wildfires. Happy Camping!
youtube.com/watch?v=XCX_eFOt…
This week students participated in an interactive training based on scientific research on how homes and other structures ignite during wildfires and how to prevent these losses. Learn more about preparing your home to survive a wildfire at: youtu.be/vL_syp1ZScM
Camping season is just around the corner. Make sure you know how to build and properly extinguish your campfires. Do your part and help prevent wildfires. Happy Camping!
Creating defensible space around your property is one of the most important things you can do to reduce wildfire risk, protect your home, and help firefighters. Learn more: WA: dnr.wa.gov/firewise
OR: oregon.gov/osfm/wildfire/Pag…
#SquirrelAppreciationDay! One reason to appreciate squirrels is because they are very effective at planting seeds. They often bury seeds to eat later, forget where they hid them, and instead leave the seeds to grow.
Martin Luther King Jr Day: #DYK Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities?
Our offices will be closed today in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Regular office hours will resume tomorrow, Tuesday, January 21st.
#DYK the Forest Service manages habitat for 220,000 miles of America’s fishable streams and rivers, along with 10 million acres of fishable lakes and reservoirs? Find fishing locations near you by visiting fs.usda.gov/ivm/ or contacting your local Forest Service office.
#KBYG Looking to get outdoors this winter? Plan ahead as some activities on National Forest lands require a pass or permit. Visit our page at fs.usda.gov/main/r6/passes-p…
Winter in the Pacific Northwest comes with snow in the higher elevations creating great new recreation opportunities. Make sure you dress for success! Here are some key tips on how to layer to stay warm: youtube.com/watch?v=-BD3tW0h…
Working on those New Year’s resolutions? Now is a particularly good time to work on home “hardening” projects, especially if you live in or near forested areas. Learn more about being #Firewise at NFPA - Firewise USA®: nfpa.org/education-and.../wi…
The proposed amendment to the Northwest Forest Plan Draft Environmental Impact Statement includes strategies for making forests more resilient to wildfires, enhancing forest health, and supporting local economies. Explore the options! 🌲 shorturl.at/SxJdM#NWFPAmendment
USDA Forest Service firefighters from Oregon and Washington are among the thousands of emergency responders supporting multi-agency efforts battling the devastating fires in southern California. Our hearts go out to all of those in affected communities.
National Save the Eagles Day: Today is Save the Eagles Day! One way to help conserve these amazing birds is by learning more about them.
#DYK – Bald Eagles nests are generally 4-5 wide and 2-4 feet deep.
National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day: Today is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day! Thank you to our Law Enforcement Officers for all that you do!
#YearInReview – From youth engagement to forest stewardship projects, volunteers, fire, and partnerships! What a year it has been! Here’s to another year. We want to thank you all joining us in caring for the land and the people that use it.
As 2024 comes to a close, let’s celebrate enhanced adventure opportunities in the Pacific Northwest thanks to the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA)!
This landmark funding is bringing transformative improvements to some of the Pacific Northwest’s most beloved recreation spots. Here’s some enhancements you can experience now on public lands in Oregon and Washington.
#KnowBeforeYouGo - A well-planned outing can make the difference between a life-long memory and a disaster you hope to forget as soon as possible. Please take care out there.
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement includes economic goals to support rural communities. Share your input on sustainable economic opportunities for the Northwest. shorturl.at/mJkE9#NWFPAmendment#SustainableForests
Need ideas for wrapping holiday presents? 🎁Try asking a wildland firefighter. Aluminized wrap is sometimes used during wildfires to protect buildings from radiant heat and burning embers, especially historic structures that can’t be replaced.
Winter in the Pacific Northwest comes with snow in the higher elevations creating great new recreation opportunities. Here are some key tips on how to stay safe: fs.usda.gov/detailfull/r6/re…
Now is the time to provide your thoughts and help shape the future of our forests. Visit the Northwest Forest Plan website to learn more shorturl.at/SxJdM#NWFPAmendment