Because of climate change, more frequent and intense wildfires are likely to become the new normal. More droughts and drier forests create conditions more conducive to ignite and spread severe wildfires. We're committed to helping communities protect their health from smoke and to prepare for these changes.
Environmental influences
The risk and extent of wildfires in the western United States is growing because of climate change. Climate change causes forest fuels (the trees and plants that burn and spread wildfire) to be drier and more easily ignited, leading to a doubling in the number of large fires between 1984 and 2015 in the Western U.S.
Research shows that changes in climate create warmer, drier conditions, increased drought, and a longer fire season — all of which work to amplify wildfire risk. For much of the U.S. West, projections show that an average annual 1 degree Celsius rise in temperature may increase the area burned in a typical year by as much as 600 percent.
The effects of climate change that contribute to increases wildfire risk include:
- Earlier snowmelt
- Rising temperatures
- More frequent, longer heat waves
- Drier summers
- Lower soil moisture content
- Spread of the mountain pine beetle and other insects that kill or weaken trees and plants
- More fuels from dead trees and plants
Human influences
While climate change may not be the direct cause of wildfires, the rising temperatures and increased drought from the changing climate contribute to more frequent, more damaging fires. These conditions make it easier for people to ignite fires, and mean that those fires may spread more rapidly and burn more intensely, making them harder to extinguish. More than 80 percent of U.S. wildfires are started by people whether by accident, negligence, or intent (arson).
The U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management uses the Wildland Fire Management Information (WFMI) system to classify human-caused wildfires:
| General Cause |
Specific Cause |
| Campfire |
Cooking, warming, bonfire |
| Smoking |
Cigarette, cigars, pipes, and matches/lighters used for lighting tobacco |
| Fire use |
Debris burning, burning ditches, fields or slash piles, etc. |
| Incendiary |
Arson, illegal or unauthorized burning |
| Equipment |
Vehicles, aircraft, exhaust, flat tires, dragging chains, brakes, etc. |
| Railroads |
Exhaust, brakes, railroad work, etc. |
| Juveniles |
Fire play - matches, fireworks, lighters, etc. |
| Miscellaneous |
Includes burning buildings, fireworks, power lines, shooting (ammo, exploding targets), spontaneous combustion (hay baled while still wet, compost piles, oily rags), blasting, and coal seams |
| Other Known or Unknown |
When a specific cause is unknown or the cause is not in the specific cause list, then other known or unknown is selected. When "other" is selected, the cause should then be noted in the remarks (i.e. exploding target). |
How you can help prevent wildfires
More and more people are making their homes in woodland settings — in or near forests, rural areas, or remote mountain sites. There, homeowners enjoy the beauty of the environment but face the very real danger of wildfire. Follow these guidelines to help prevent wildfires that threaten your health and property, and damage the agriculture industry, natural resources, and wildlife habitat:
- NEVER throw cigarettes out your car window
- Don't park hot vehicles on the grass
- Make sure trailer chains don't drag on the ground, causing sparks
- Clear the perimeter of your house from pine and fir needles and yard waste
- Adhere to burn bans & report illegal burning
- Extinguish camp fires completely
- Monitor air quality in your area
- Have an evacuation plan in place
- Visit Ready, Set, GO! for more emergency preparedness tips
To help slow the effects of climate change that increase wildfire risk, we are working to reduce greenhouse gases. You can help too by reducing your carbon footprint.
We monitor wildfire smoke to protect your health
Because the risk of wildfires is increasing with the changing climate, we, along with our partners, monitor air quality to protect your health. We have a number of monitors around the state and use a few different tools to communicate with you. During a wildfire event, we often add temporary air monitors.
Find information about air quality and wildfires in your area using the tools below:
The WAQA is a state reporting tool that is similar to the federal AQI tool.
Both use color-coded categories to show when air quality ranges from good to hazardous. The difference is that WAQA is based on lower levels of fine particle pollution than the federal AQI. This allows us to alert you earlier to protect your health.
Click on the WAQA image below to view current air quality conditions.
The state smoke forecast map predicts the amount of smoke levels in areas across Washington from wildfires and other sources up to 48 hours in advance when possible. You can use the forecast to plan outdoor activities and reduce your exposure to air pollution.
Forecasts are based on information from:
Because it is a state created map, colors are based on the WAQA guidelines.
Click on the Smoke Forecast map image below to view future conditions.
The Washington Smoke Blog uses the federal Air Quality Index (AQI) map. It is a one-stop shop for all things smoke related. The website is a partnership between state, county, and federal agencies, and Indian Tribes.
There, you can find:
- Updated news during wildfire season
- AQI air monitoring map
- Fire information
- Health information
- Local contacts
- Information in Spanish
- and more!
Click on the Washington Smoke Blog image below for information.
The AQI is a federal reporting tool that is similar to Washington’s WAQA reporting tool.
Both use color-coded categories to show when air quality ranges from good to hazardous. It is similar to the WAQA, but doesn’t call for poor air quality as early.
Click on the AQI image below to view current air quality conditions.
InciWeb is an interagency all-risk incident web information management system provided by the United States Forest Service released in 2004. It was originally developed for wildland fire emergencies, but can be also used for other emergency incidents (natural disasters, such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes).
Click on the InciWeb image below to view current wildfires and other natural disasters.