Wildfires, Closures & Restrictions

Let Northwest Portal help you keep up-to date on the latest conditions!

Washington’s 2024 fire season wrapup

As of mid-September, cooler wetter weather is finally bringing the 2024 Washington Fire Season to an and. Some fires continue to have isolated hot spots or small amounts of activity and some recreation closures remain in effect but burn bans are being lifted, resources are being redirected, and many of the closures are scheduled to expire October 1st.

Fire activity deteced by the NOAA VIIRS satellites. This provides an approximation of current fire activity, but not all fire activity is detected by these satellites. Fire perimeters are as mapped by the National Inter-agency Fire Center and represent the maximum extent of the fire. These maps are offered under an open license. For a custom map email: contact@northwestportal.com.

2024 Fire Season Summary

Updated 9/19/2024

Major Fires in Washington State in 2024

These fires were large enough to be reported on Inciweb, the interagency all-risk incident information management system run by the USFS.

Pioneer Fire. This fire on the East shore of Lake Chelan started 6/8/2024 and burned 38,735 acres. Most of the fire was in the Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness area, but it burned into the Lake Chelan Recreation Area of North Cascades National Park and impacted the town of Stehekin at the North end of the lake.

Shoofly Fire: This fire in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest started 7/8/2024 and burned 104 acres.

Cougar Creek Fire: This fire in Umatilla National Forest started 7/15/2024 and burned 24,091 acres.

Pincer Two Fire: This fire in Mt Baker Snoqualmie National Forest started 7/17/2024 and burned 211 acres.

Easy Fire: This fire in the Methow region of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Fire, was sparked by lightning on 7/17/2024 and burned 2130 acres.

Retreat Fire: This fire in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest started 7/23/2024 and burned 45,601 acres.

Miner’s Complex Fire: This complex of eight fires in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest started 7/27/2024 and burned 1098 acres.

Williams Mine Fire: This fire in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest started 8/5/2024 and burned 13,092 acres.

Ruby Fire: This fire in North Cascades National Park started 8/9/2024 and burned 1300 acres.

Kachess Complex Fire: This complex of three fires in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest started 8/12/2024 and burned 23 acres.

Lodgepole Fire: This fire in the Norse Peak Wilderness of Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest started 8/12/2024 and burned 35 acres.

Swauk Creek Fire: This fire, that started on 9/8/2024, is near where US-97 and 970 meet in Kittitas County. DNR has closed a block of the Teanaway Community Forest and US-97 is down to one line at times, with a guide car escorting traffic. As of 9/10/2024 it is 214 acres and 0% contained.

Fire Maps

Over the course of the fires season, Northwest Portal has been making regular maps of fire activity. You can download any of the maps from our Dropbox portal.

Latest Maps - for fire activity

Maps are not being updated if there is no activity within the previous 24 hours.

Maps of older activity for fires with no new activity detected by satellites in the latest period

Although fire season is coming to a close, some facilities trails and areas remain closed. Find the latest information on what is open in Washington State and what is closed due to an emergency or has a seasonal clossure on any of the Northwest Portal Web Maps and Apps for Apple and Android.

Plan your next adventure with up-to-date information on current conditions.

Burn bans have been lifted around the state - enjoy your campfire (responsibly!!)

Washington DNR lifted the burn ban on all of its protected lands as of 8/17/2024.

USFS Burn Bans

  • Olympic National Forest: From July 12-Nov 1, 2024, Campfires are restricted to established fire rings in designated areas in the Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park. Backcountry and dispersed area campfires are not allowed, including charcoal grills, but gas or propane camp stoves are permitted if operated away from flammable vegetation.

  • Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest: As of September 17th, all public use fire restrictions have been lifted.

  • Colville National Forest: As of September 11th, all fire restrictions have been lifted.

  • Umatilla National Forest: Starting September 17th, campfires are allowed but should be in a fire circle surrounded by a 3’ buffer with no combustible materials.

  • Gifford Pinchot National Forest: As of September 18th, all public use fire restrictions have been lifted.

  • Idaho Panhandle National Forest. No fire restrictions are listed on the forest website.

  • Mt Baker Snoqualmie National Forest: All public use restrictions, including campfire bans, were lifted on 8/28/2024.

Other Burn Bans