Northwest Wildfires Burn 1 Million Acres, With 95 Large Fires Reported by July 26
Updated
Updated · KATU · Jul 26
Northwest Wildfires Burn 1 Million Acres, With 95 Large Fires Reported by July 26
3 articles · Updated · KATU · Jul 26
Summary
More than 1 million acres have burned across Oregon and Washington by July 26, with 95 large wildfires recorded in the Northwest, according to the latest Northwest Interagency Coordination Center data.
That puts 2026 just under halfway to the Northwest's 2,074,579-acre total from the severe 2024 season, after 2025 improved sharply with 571,823 acres burned despite above-average fire counts.
Red Flag Warnings that were common this summer—especially in Central and Eastern Oregon—are not in effect Sunday, and fire danger has eased from Critical to Elevated.
Dry vegetation, breezy winds and hot temperatures still favor rapid fire growth east of the Cascades, while onshore flow is bringing cooler weather, clouds and some light coastal rain to the west.
Officials are urging residents to follow burn restrictions, avoid spark-producing activities and keep monitoring air quality as the 2026 season continues.