Wildfire in Washington
Every wildfire event the National Weather Service has filed in Washington, year by year, with the most significant episodes. A fire burning in wildland vegetation, with its acreage and damage where known.
The most significant on the map
The most significant wildfire episodes in Washington.
- Tornadoes
- Tropical storms and surge
- Floods
- Wind
- Hail
- Winter weather
- Heat and drought
- Cold
- Fire, smoke and dust
- Marine and coastal
- Other
The record
- Events
- 542
- Deaths
- 10
- Injuries
- 19
- Damage
- $2.2 billion
Every year
The most significant
Ranked by deaths, injuries, damage and size together.
- Wildfire in Washington, July 9 to 23, 2001The "Thirtymile" wildfire was in the mop-up stages on July 10 when excessively hot and dry conditions that afternoon caused the smoldering fire to blow up. The fire came roaring back to life, quickly spreading from 25 to 2,500 acres in just three hours.
- Wildfire in Washington, August 18 to 31, 2023An incoming system brought strong winds and dry air into the Spokane Area. Two wildfires were started by unknown causes and quickly spread through residential areas. A total of 270 structures were lost or damaged.
- Wildfire and Dust Storm in Washington, September 7 to 28, 2020Very dry and critical fire conditions over Eastern Washington during July and August produced dry fuels across the region. These fuels, with an incoming cold front's strong winds, created an outbreak of wildfires, blowing smoke, and dust late September 6th - 7th.
- Wildfire in Washington, June 16 to 24, 2026Wildfire was started on June 16 by human cause. It was contained on June 24. One fatality was reported.
- Wildfire in Washington, September 8 to 30, 2012An upper level low pressure system sat just offshore of the southern Oregon coastline. Another deep low pressure system pushing into the Gulf of Alaska acted as a kicker to eject the upper level low pressure system offshore across the region.
- Wildfire and Heavy Rain in Washington, August 2 to 30, 1998Lightning sparked a large fire at Twenty five mile creek on Lake Chelan. Over 6300 acres of forest land have burned. The fire was allowed to burn out and will not be officially out until mid October.
- Wildfire in Washington, August 1 to 26, 2014The largest fire in Washington State history is now the 2014 Carlton Complex. Central Washington was in drought status. The fire was started by lightning on July 14.
- Wildfire in Washington, July 14 to 31, 2014The largest fire in Washington State history is now the 2014 Carlton Complex. Central Washington was in drought status. The fire was started by lightning on July 14.
- Wildfire in Washington, October 1 to 31, 2022The Minnow Ridge Wildfire was started on September 9 by undetermined means.
- Wildfire in Washington, September 9 to 30, 2022The Minnow Ridge Wildfire was started on September 9 by undetermined means.
- Wildfire in Washington, July 1 to 31, 2024The Pioneer Fire started on June 8 by unknown human cause.
- Wildfire in Washington, September 1 to 30, 2024The Pioneer Fire started on June 8 by unknown human cause. It continued through the month of September.
- Wildfire in Washington, October 1 to 3, 2024The Pioneer Fire started on June 8 by unknown human cause. It was finally contained on October 3.
- Wildfire in Washington, August 1 to 31, 2024The Pioneer Fire started on June 8 by unknown human cause. It continued through the month of August.
- Wildfire in Washington, August 1 to 31, 2018Very dry conditions over Eastern Washington during July and August created dry fuel conditions across the region.
- Wildfire in Washington, September 1 to 11, 2023An incoming system brought strong winds and dry air into the Spokane Area. Two wildfires were started by unknown human causes and quickly spread through residential areas. A total of 270 structures were lost or damaged.
- Wildfire in Washington, September 1 to 30, 2025Lower Sugarloaf Fire started on September 1 by lightning. It was located 12 miles Northeast of Leavenworth.
- Wildfire in Washington, October 1 to 19, 2025Lower Sugarloaf Fire started on September 1 by lightning. It was located 12 miles Northeast of Leavenworth. It was contained on October 19.
- Wildfire in Washington, September 1 to 30, 2025Labor Mountain Fire started on September 1 by lightning. It was located 10 miles North of Cle Elum.
- Wildfire in Washington, October 1 to 30, 2025Labor Mountain Fire started on September 1 by lightning. It was located 10 miles North of Cle Elum. Fire was contained on October 30.
- Wildfire in Washington, July 15 to 31, 2024The fire started on July 15 from undetermined cause.
- Wildfire in Washington, August 1 to 19, 2024The fire started on July 15 from undetermined cause. It continued through August 26.
- Wildfire in Washington, October 1 to 31, 2022Lightning started the Irving Peak and White River Fires in the Cascades. Their proximity to each other allowed them to be combined into one incident.
- Wildfire in Washington, September 1 to 30, 2022Lightning started the Irving Peak and White River Fires in the Cascades. Their proximity to each other allowed them to be combined into one incident.
- Wildfire in Washington, September 1 to 14, 2025Crown Creek Wildfire started on August 29 by lightning. It was located 1 mile Southeast of Marble, Washington.
More
Sources
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24.