Where's the smoke coming from? Here's where WA wildfires are currently burning
How Washington is preparing for high wildfire danger
With dry brush, high winds and thunderstorms in the forecast, Washington Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove joins FOX 13 to discuss how the state is assessing the risks and protecting the public from wildfires.
There are multiple active wildfires burning in Washington state after a summer storm last week brought dry lightning and gusty winds. Fire risk remains high, as hot and dry conditions are in the forecast.
Keep reading for a breakdown of each wildfire currently burning in Washington state.
Wildfire risk in western WA
Washington is seeing high wildfire danger in the coming days, as temperatures are forecast to hit 90 degrees in western Washington, and even past 100 degrees in parts of central and eastern Washington.
Along with the heatwave, wildfire smoke is expected to create hazy skies and diminish air quality over the next few days. Temperatures in Seattle should ease by Thursday.
More smoke will be notice in the sky in Central and Eastern Washington nearby active fires. (FOX13 Seattle)
Officials are urging the public to use extreme caution and adhere to local burn bans, as 80% to 90% of all wildfires are started by humans.
Where is the smoke in WA coming from?
High-level smoke is expected to roll through the Puget Sound region over the next couple of days. According to MacMillan, this is different from low-level smoke, which really impacts our air quality. Forecasting models show that the high-level smoke is coming from the wildfires burning in Oregon, Canada and eastern Washington.
Multiple wildfires burning in WA, across PNW
From the Lyons Ferry fire, Devil's Canyon fire, Kaiser Canyon fire, and more, FOX 13 talks with fire incident management officials about the threat levels of these fires both for flames and smoke impacts.
Washington wildfire map
Map showing active fires in Washington (July 20, 2026)
FOX 13 Seattle is monitoring multiple wildfires across Washington state.
Kaiser Canyon Fire in Okanogan County, WA
The Kaiser Canyon Fire is burning near the town of Nespelem in Okanogan County. The fire has grown to 60,000 acres, and at least 13 structures have been lost so far.
Level 3 "Go Now" evacuations were ordered from Buffalo Lake North to Owhi Lake and the Columbia River Camp Ground. Level 2 "Get Ready" evacuations were issued for the town of Nespelem, Agency Campus, and areas to the north and west.
Kaiser evacuation order map for July 19, 2026.
The wildfire is 0% contained. Hundreds of firefighters, along with engines, dozers and aircraft, are actively working to stop forward progression of the fire.
The latest evacuation map can be found online. Updates are being posted to the Colville Tribes Emergency Management Facebook page.
Red Cross shelters are set up at the Coulee Dam High School Gym (503 Crest Drive), Lake Roosevelt Gym (500 Civic Way), Omak Community Center (601 Centon Street), and Omak Long House (25 Mission Road) for evacuees.
Multiple wildfires in Franklin County, WA
Four different fires popped up in Franklin County, Washington after lightning strikes, with crews currently battling more than 46,000 acres of flames near the city of Kahlotus.
Lyons Ferry Fire
The Lyons Ferry Fire is burning east of Kahlotus and is approximately 34,011 acres with 90% containment. There are 200 firefighters deployed on this fire as the Lyons Ferry bridge over Snake River was shut down to drivers.
The Neff Jones, Wallace Walker and Devil's Canyon fires are all 100% contained as of Tuesday morning. Crews are continuing to work in those areas to ensure that no hot spots remain.
There are an estimated 460 homes and businesses in the path of the Lyons Ferry Fire.
Wildland firefighter teams, aircraft and dozers are currently working on the Lyons Ferry Fire.
All evacuations have been removed, as of Tuesday morning.
Modrite Fire in Ferry County, WA
The Modrite Fire is burning near Lake Roosevelt and is approximately 6,406 acres. It sparked on July 17 due to a lightning strike, located east of the Kaiser Canyon Fire.
At least five structures have been damaged or destroyed. The fire is 0% contained, and firefighters are working to keep the fire south of Coyote Creek Road.
Level 3 "Go Now" evacuations are in effect for Wilmont Creek Road, from Silver Creek to Rodgers Bar. Silver Creek Road is closed between Four Corners and Kewa Road.
An evacuation shelter is set up at Kettle Falls Middle School (101 W. 11th Avenue).
Royal Lake Fire in Adams County, WA
The Royal Lake Fire, burning west of Othello in Adams County, is 95% contained. Firefighters were able to stop forward progress on the flames and are working on maintaining the containment lines. The burn area was sitting around 2,000 acres by the end of the weekend.
Focus over the weekend remained on mopping up hot spots and reinforcement of containment. There were no evacuation orders in place on July 18, however residents and visitors were advised to remain alert in case of any fire activity changes.
Three Queens Fire in Kittitas County, WA
A small wildfire burned just east of Snoqualmie Pass heading into the weekend, just hours after the first Red Flag Warning of the season was issued in western Washington.
The Three Queens Fire had burned approximately 30 acres near Lake Kachess, Three Queens and Hibox Mountain. The burn area was in steep, rocky terrain, and air and ground support resources are responding.
Three Queens Fire burns amid Red Flag Warning in Kittitas County, WA
The Three Queens Fire is burning just east of Snoqualmie Pass, hours after the first Red Flag Warning of the season was issued in regions across Washington state.
Contained – Plum Fire burning in Lincoln County, WA
A 150-acre wildfire sparked in Lincoln County, Washington on Wednesday, July 15. It was called the Plum Fire, burning near the city of Grand Coulee.
(Watch Duty)
State fire mobilization was authorized for the Plum Fire, which officials say threatened homes and power lines. The fire began around 5:30 p.m. and primarily burnt wheatgrass and sagebrush.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, and the fire reached 100% containment.
Mt. Tom Creek Fire burning in WA's Olympic National Park
The Mt. Tom Creek Fire is burning high in a remote area on the west side of Olympic National Park.
According to fire officials, the wildfire is about six miles from the Hoh Rain Forest, but all trails, visitor center and campground all remain open to the public.
(InciWeb)
The fire was started by a lightning strike on Tuesday, June 23. As of July 13, the fire is 27% contained and burning 69 acres. Fire restrictions were implemented on June 25 and remained in effect heading into the second week of July.
B and O Fire in Okanogan County, WA
The B and O Fire burning north-west of the city of Okanogan has burned 2,762 acres and is 95% contained as of July 15.
(InciWeb)
According to Watch Duty, all areas near the B and O Fire evacuation zone are now under a Level 1 "Get Ready" Advisory.
B and O Fire in Okanogan, WA
A Red Cross evacuation center is open, while the Okanogan County Fairgrounds is accepting evacuated animals.
Contained: Quincy Lakes Fire burning near WA's Ancient Lakes
The Quincy Lakes Fire, which prompted Grant County officials to issue Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation orders is now 100% contained as of July 13. Evacuation levels for the Ancient Lakes area have been downgraded to Level 2.
Ancient Lakes evacuations for Quincy Lakes Fire
All of Ancient Lakes are under a Level 2 "Get Set" evacuation order. The wildfire sparked Saturday night and was only burning about 15 acres at around 11 p.m. Through the hard work of responding crews, firefighters were able to get the fire fully contained– which reached a total of 289 acres.
Contained: Transfer Fire burning in Lake Chelan, WA
The Transfer Fire sparked just east of Lake Chelan on Sunday, prompting emergency officials to issue evacuation orders. As of July 13, all evacuation levels have been lifted. The fire is now 100% contained, and reached 35 acres in size.
Transfer Fire near Lake Chelan on July 12, 2026. (Source: ALERTWest)
Contained: Chelan Hills Fire burning in Douglas County, WA
First spotted in the early hours of July 4, a wildfire in Douglas County just across from Lake Chelan burned nearly 10,000 acres, with some reports saying more than 100 structures had been destroyed. The fire was 100% contained as of July 10.
Chelan Hills fire burns in Douglas County near Lake Chelan, Washington
Criminal investigation launched
Douglas County Sheriff Tyler Caille says investigators believe someone started the fire near Highway 97 at or around midnight on July 4 before it spread into the surrounding area. He says he can now also confirm it is a criminal investigation.
Search teams seek potential missing victims
Officials fear the death toll could rise as emergency teams gain access to heavily burned areas.
The sheriff says teams with search dogs will be going from parcel to parcel Wednesday in McNeil Canyon to make sure everyone is accounted for following the fire.
Firefighting planes scoop water to battle the Chelan Hills fire in Douglas County, Washington near Lake Chelan on July 4, 2026
Contained: Ryegrass Coulee Fire in Kittitas County, WA
The Ryegrass Coulee Fire sparked near the Vantage Bridge on July 8, prompting a full closure of I-90 and Level 3 "Go Now" evacuations for the entire city of Vantage. As of July 10, the fire is 100% contained and reached 537 acres.
Wildfire burning near Vantage, WA (Credit: Jacqueline Steele)
Contained: Crawford Oaks Fire burning in Klickitat County, WA
There are no longer any evacuation orders in place for people in the area of Crawford Oaks Fire in Klickitat County on July 6. The previous Level 3 orders were put in place when the fire was moving quickly through grassy areas north of Highway 14.
Highway 14 was closed from Avery Park to Highway 197 heading into the Fourth of July weekend. However, the roadway has since reopened. People driving on the road are asked to restrict themselves to driving 35 mph as many firefighting and road crews remain in the area of the fire.
Contained: The Henderson Fire near Lake Chelan, WA
Evacuation orders were dropped for the Henderson Fire burning in Chelan County. This wildfire broke out near Henderson Road on Wednesday, July 1.
It initially prompted Level 1, 2 and 3 evacuations near Lake Chelan, but they were lowered hours later by Chelan County Emergency Management. Officials say the human-caused fire burned hundreds of acres.
Contained: The Hamilton Fire burning near Winthrop, WA
Evacuation orders for areas west of Winthrop in Okanogan County have been removed after the fire's rapid growth previously prompted the entire town to evacuate.
The "Hamilton Fire" started around 9 a.m. on Sunday, June 28, and by the early afternoon it had grown to roughly 300 acres with no immediate signs of stopping. Deputy State Fire Marshal Amy Thornton said it was burning grass and brush but threatened homes, infrastructure and public safety.
By June 30, the Okanogan County Emergency Management team confirmed the fire was 100% contained and all advisories had been removed.
Contained: The Kartar Fire near Omak, WA
The Kartar Fire burned 11,746 acres south and east of Omak Lake on the Colville Reservation, about 15 miles southeast of Omak. As of Thursday, July 2, the fire was 100% contained.
276 firefighting personnel worked on the fire, which investigators believe was human-caused. The fire was first reported on Tuesday, June 16 at around 7 p.m.
(InciWeb)
Contained: Garred Road Fire near Coulee City, WA
The Garred Road Fire burned 3,369 acres in Grant and Douglas counties about 4 miles west of Coulee City and is now 100% contained.
(InciWeb)
It was first reported on Monday, June 22 at around 4:00 p.m.
Contained: Upriver Fire burning in Spokane, WA
The Upriver Fire burning a mile east of Spokane, Washington is now 100% contained and reached 213 acres in size.
The human-caused fire forced about 1,500 residents to evacuate and destroyed at least 15 homes.
Contained: Snake River Fire near Clarkston, WA
The Snake River Fire burning about five miles north-west of Clarkston was first reported on June 12 at around 5:55 p.m. It is now 100% contained and burned a total of 693 acres.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
A Super El Niño may be coming — what it could mean for WA’s summer and winter
A Super El Niño may be coming — what it could mean for WA
There are growing signals that the Pacific Ocean is shifting toward an El Niño pattern, and possibly a strong one. While this climate phenomenon originates thousands of miles away, its ripple effects could have real consequences for the Pacific Northwest, especially as we head toward wildfire season.
Federal forecasters warn a newly developed El Niño pattern is expected to steadily intensify, with the Climate Prediction Center projecting a 63% chance it matures into a "very strong"—or Super—El Niño by winter.
For a state already locked in a multi-year drought, the system’s onset is expected to act as an atmospheric accelerator, tilting the remainder of the summer toward hotter, drier conditions and further compounding wildfire risks.
See the full list of wildfires that scorched Washington state in 2025.
The Source: Information in this story comes from InciWeb, Watch Duty, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the FOX 13 Seattle Weather Team.