Wildfires in Washington and Oregon have led to evacuations, power outages, and the burning of hundreds of thousands of acres as firefighters manage numerous large fires in the Pacific Northwest. According to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), there are currently 99 active large fires across the U.S., with this year's wildfire season surpassing the 10-year average in both the number of fires and acres burned.
As of now, 45,835 fires have burned over 5.2 million acres in the U.S. Washington state has 17 active large fires, including the Spokane Complex Fire, which has prompted the evacuation of approximately 60,000 residents, caused power outages for thousands, and destroyed around 640 structures. Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide emergency due to drought conditions, high temperatures, and strong winds contributing to the wildfires.
Oregon has the highest number of active large fires at 32, with new fires igniting recently and leading to additional evacuation orders. The state has also set a modern record for acres burned this season. Idaho and Montana each report seven active large fires, while Minnesota and California have six, and Colorado and Nevada have five. Other states, including Florida and Utah, have three each, and several others have one.
Climate change is identified as a factor contributing to the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires in the western U.S., with studies indicating it is driving more extreme fire behavior and complicating containment efforts. The National Weather Service has forecasted continued wildfires and poor air quality in the Pacific Northwest, Rockies, and parts of the Plains, with specific fire weather warnings issued for certain areas.