Wildland fires are fires caused by nature or humans that result in the uncontrolled destruction of forests, brush, field crops, grasslands and real and personal property.

The wildland fire season in Washington usually begins in early July and typically culminates in late September when regular rain returns to the Northwest. However, wildland fires have occurred in every month of the year.

The Washington Department of Natural Resources protects 2.5 million acres of state-owned land and 10 million acres of land in private ownership through legislative directive.

The department fights about 900 wildland fires per year across the state, about 70 percent are in Eastern Washington. Most are small, usually extinguished while they are less than one acre in size. Wildland fires can spread to more than 100,000 acres, depending on a number of factors, and may require thousands of firefighters and several months to extinguish. Federal, state, county, city and private agencies and private timber companies provide fire protection and firefighting services on forestlands in Washington.

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Washington Wildfire Resources

Fraud advice from the Washington Secretary of State and the Attorney General's Office:

Wildfire status updates

Shelter and housing resources

Washington State Animal Response Team emergency shelters

What you can do

Donate locally: Community Action Agencies in fire impacted areas are assisting with recovery and emergency needs. To make a cash donation, contact: 

Volunteer: 

Social media related to #waWILDFIRE

Updates from the State

DNR information sources

Local emergency management contacts

Additional information on wildfires:

Learn More About Wildland Fires in Washington State (PDF)

Wildfire Fact Sheet (PDF)

Wildfire Retrofit Guide: Northwest Edition (PDF)

Wildfires -- what to do after returning home (link)

Wildfires Fact Sheet for Kids

FEMA Course: Wildfire Mitigation Basics for Mitigation Staff

What to do after a wildfire? Red Cross Brochure in English

Que hacer después de un fuego Folleto de Red Cross en Español







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