Rare “Particularly Dangerous Situation” Red Flag Warning Sparks Heightened Wildfire Threat in the Pacific Northwest

On Saturday, August 1, 2026, the National Weather Service issued an “extremely rare” Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) Red Flag Warning for eastern Washington and central-eastern Oregon. The alert, the strongest fire-weather warning the agency uses, was triggered by strong winds, very low humidity, and dry vegetation. Winds were forecast to gust up to 40 mph, with relative humidity dropping to 15 percent. The warning covered the Lower Columbia Basin, Northern Blue Mountains, Wallowa County, Grande Ronde Valley, John Day Valley and the central Oregon mountains.

Oregon Enters August Under an Extremely Rare Fire Warning as Powerful Winds Arrive

The Pacific Northwest is in the midst of a historic wildfire season. Across Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana, more than 50 large fires (each over 100 acres) are active, collectively burning over 1.9 million acres—well above the ten-year average. In Washington, three fires near Spokane—Old Trails, Fairview and Autumn Lane—merged into the Spokane Complex, scorching over 7,700 acres with 0 percent containment as of Sunday night. Oregon reports 30 uncontained large fires that have burned nearly 1.8 million acres.

State of Emergency issued in Washington as dangerous wildfires spread across the Northwest

• Peak wind gusts at Spokane International Airport: 44 mph.

The Spokesman-Review

• Sustained winds 20-30 mph; humidity around 20 percent in Spokane.

The Spokesman-Review

• Old Trails Fire: 2,300 acres burned by 9:30 p.m. Saturday.

State of Emergency issued in Washington as dangerous wildfires spread across the Northwest

• Spokane Complex: 7,700 acres burned, 600 structures damaged or destroyed.

Washington wildfires spread to 7,700-plus acres, 600 structures damaged or destroyed

• Nationwide to date: 44,004 wildfires, >4.8 million acres burned.

State of Emergency issued in Washington as dangerous wildfires spread across the Northwest

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson called the situation “extremely dynamic, especially in Spokane,” and announced a statewide emergency and a burn ban through September. The Washington National Guard was mobilized to assist firefighting efforts.

Washington wildfires spread to 7,700-plus acres, 600 structures damaged or destroyed

Local authorities ordered evacuations around the Old Trails Fire and declared a state of emergency in Spokane County. Road closures—including U.S. 20 between mileposts 154-223—remained in effect. Firefighters, numbering over 12,000 across the region, worked to secure containment lines and monitor for spot fires.

Oregon Enters August Under an Extremely Rare Fire Warning as Powerful Winds Arrive

• Acreage burned: Fox Weather cites 1.9 million acres burned across the Northwest, while KATU reports nearly 1.8 million acres burned in Oregon alone.

State of Emergency issued in Washington as dangerous wildfires spread across the Northwest

• Record season totals: The New York Times notes a 2024 record of 1.93 million acres burned in Oregon; KATU references a 2024 figure of “around 1.9 million acres.”

Washington wildfires spread to 7,700-plus acres, 600 structures damaged or destroyed

• “Take advice from emergency managers, the evacuation areas,” — Joey Clevenger

The Spokesman-Review

• “This is the first time the ‘particularly dangerous’ situation tag has been used with a red-flag warning in Oregon or Washington,” — Jon Bonk

New York Times

• “Things are extremely dynamic, especially in Spokane,” — Gov. Bob Ferguson

Washington wildfires spread to 7,700-plus acres, 600 structures damaged or destroyed

The NWS indicated that the PDS Red Flag Warning expired at 8 p.m. Saturday, with the broader Red Flag Warning remaining in effect until 11 p.m. Sunday. Residents in the warning area are advised to stay tuned to local alerts, avoid outdoor burning, and be prepared to evacuate if conditions deteriorate.

New York Times