Washington Fires

Daily Wildfire Report for Washington - August 21, 2026

Overview

Washington is experiencing an unprecedented and elevated fire risk due to a severe statewide drought that began in April, following a winter with particularly low levels of snowpack. This combination of hot, dry conditions, high winds, and tinder-dry landscapes has created extremely dangerous situations for wildfires across the state. Governor Ferguson has declared a statewide wildfire emergency, and a federal emergency has been declared in Eastern Washington. Over 428,000 acres have burned so far this year. State and national resources are heavily committed, with the Washington National Guard, crews from 14 states, and international teams from Australia assisting local and state firefighters.

Current Situation

Fire Activity: There are currently multiple large, active wildfires burning across Washington, particularly in the central and eastern regions, requiring massive interagency support. Over the last 72 hours, firefighters have been battling these massive blazes while managing the aftermath of devastating fires in the Spokane area that displaced tens of thousands of residents.

Key Fires:

• Sinlahekin Fire: Located in Okanogan County in the Loomis State Forest north of Tonasket, this lightning-caused fire is currently the largest in the state at 153,843 acres and is 44% contained. The fire is burning through heavy timber and closed timber litter, spreading toward Palmer Mountain, Rattlesnake Peak, and South Pine Creek. Over 1,700 personnel are assigned to this incident.
• Little Giant Fire: Burning across Chelan and Okanogan counties, this fire has consumed approximately 135,984 acres and remains only 10% contained. It is extending through remote, rugged terrain around the Entiat River, Glacier Peak Wilderness, and Lake Chelan, fueled by heavy timber and dry brush.
• Modrite Fire: Located across Ferry and Stevens counties near Inchelium, this fire has burned 57,664 acres and is currently 90% contained. It remains west of Lake Roosevelt and south of Bridge Creek Road.
• Ptarmigan Fire: Active in the Pasayten Wilderness of Okanogan County, this fire has burned 24,647 acres and is 55% contained.
• Spokane Complex Fires (Old Trails, Autumn Lane, Fairview): While containment has reached 97% to 100% over the last 72 hours, these fires remain highly significant due to the extreme values at risk. Sparked by human activity (including arson for the Old Trails fire), they burned over 10,000 acres of brush, grass, and timber, destroying roughly 846 structures and forcing the evacuation of 65,000 residents in Spokane County.

Prescribed Burns and Land Management: Due to the extreme fire danger, a strict statewide burn ban is in effect through September 30, 2026, across all 39 counties. This prohibits yard debris burning, land clearing, agricultural burning, bonfires, and open campfires. Additionally, local jurisdictions including King County, Snohomish County, and Seattle have enacted Stage 2 burn bans. The state fire marshal has authorized the pre-positioning of resources in high-risk counties, and utilities in Chelan County have warned of potential preemptive power shutoffs to prevent new sparks.
Air Quality: Unhealthy to very unhealthy air quality continues to inundate many parts of the state. Smoke from the Eastern Washington fires is filtering into Western Washington, resulting in hazy skies and Air Quality Alerts (AQAs) across Central and Eastern Washington, as well as the Puget Sound lowlands.

Weather and Wind Warnings

Current Weather: A strong high-pressure system off the coast is driving hot, dry conditions with winds coming from the north-northeast, pushing smoke and haze across the state.
Forecasted Weather: In an extremely rare move, the National Weather Service has issued a historic "Particularly Dangerous Situation" (PDS) warning—a level above a standard Red Flag Warning—for Eastern Washington. Red Flag Warnings remain in effect across the Cascades, Columbia Basin, Palouse, and Blue Mountains. Critical fire weather conditions feature winds of 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph, and relative humidity dropping as low as 8%. These conditions mean any new fires can grow out of control rapidly, and aerial firefighting responses may be limited by wind and smoke.

Recommendations

Public Awareness: Residents are urged to adhere strictly to the statewide burn ban to prevent new sparks on the tinder-dry landscape. Those in affected counties should remain vigilant, prepare emergency evacuation plans, and stay indoors if air quality reaches unhealthy levels. Residents who lost food due to wildfires or power outages have until today, August 21, to file replacement claims with the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).
Resource Allocation: Firefighting resources are stretched incredibly thin, prompting the mobilization of state task forces and international crews. Agencies are focusing on rapid response to new starts while reinforcing containment lines on the massive ongoing complexes.

Resources

For up-to-date emergency information, residents can visit:
National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC): www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn
Washington Department of Natural Resources: dnr.wa.gov/wildfire-resources/wildfire-prevention
Washington Governor's Office Emergency Info: governor.wa.gov

Stay informed and prepared by monitoring these resources regularly.