Rising temperatures increase fire activity across the northwest

PORTLAND, Ore., Sept. 5, 2025— Warmer weather and thunderstorm activity has elevated fire behavior across the Pacific Northwest. As sustained high temperatures dry out fuels, hold over fires - fires that can go undetected for days after lightning strikes - are becoming more active. This increase in activity has led to a rise in initial attack efforts.

Firefighting efforts have successfully contained many wildfires before they could grow significantly. However, current conditions have contributed to the emergence of several new large fires across the region. Fire managers continue to assess resource needs to ensure adequate response for initial attack, while also reallocating personnel and equipment to priority incidents as necessary.

Cooler temperatures and an increased chance of rainfall are forecast for the region over the weekend and following into the next week. This shift in weather is expected to help moderate fire potential. Despite these changes, dry fuel conditions will persist until the Pacific Northwest receives sustained cooling and widespread rainfall.

Everyone has a role to play in preventing wildfires. Avoid driving, idling, or parking on dry vegetation. If you’re planning to have a campfire on National Forest lands, be sure to check current fire restrictions. If campfires are allowed, always keep them attended and fully extinguish them before leaving.

For more information please visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/fire 

About the Forest Service

The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology—and rooted in communities—the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world.

 For more news and information about national forests in the Pacific Northwest, visit our news page at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/newsroom or our home page, at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06. For more information about the USDA Forest Service visit https://www.fs.usda.gov. 

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