Pacific Northwest Faces Devastating Start to Wildfire Season
The Pacific Northwest is grappling with a severe wildfire season, with massive blazes consuming over 4,600 square miles across Washington and Oregon as of August 16, 2026 (Anchorage Daily News, 2026-08-16). In Washington, more than 1,100 square miles have burned, with Spokane and Malden among the hardest-hit areas. The Modrite fire, which devastated the Colville Reservation near Inchelium, Washington, destroyed over two dozen homes and displaced thousands. Firefighters are battling extreme conditions, including wind-driven flames, prolonged drought, and high temperatures. The National Weather Service issued a “Particularly Dangerous Situation” alert in Washington state, highlighting the severity of the situation. Fire crews are stretched thin, with resources deployed across the U.S. and international assistance arriving from New Zealand and Australia. 
