NW Fire Blog

10/23/2025

An amazing Seattle FD Opporunity!

10/20/2025

CAL FIRE 2025 WILDFIRE SEASON FIRE STATS
Out of area Fire News Coverage

# #

Seasonal Wildfire Outlook

California faces elevated fire danger through the end of 2025, with conditions expected to improve in early 2026.

Northern California: Fire potential is projected to be normal (one or fewer large fires per prediction area monthly). Whiplash weather patterns are expected - alternating cool-moist and warm-dry periods - with 2-3 offshore wind events per month. Lowland areas remain vulnerable to dry, gusty wind conditions until new herbaceous growth offsets standing dead vegetation.

Southern California: Above-normal large fire potential is forecast through December due to the combination of well-above-normal temperatures, well-below-normal precipitation, and normal-to-above-normal Santa Ana wind activity. A significant rainfall event expected in late December or early January should reduce fire threat to near-normal levels starting in January.

As of early October, 2025, 37% of California is experiencing drought with an additional 34% abnormally dry. A developing La Niña pattern is expected to bring below-average precipitation and above-average temperatures through May 2026.

2025 Seasonal Fire Facts
. 7,439 wildfires . 522,289 acres burned. 31 fatalities. 16,479 structures destroyed

Though there were lesser number of wildfires, they were much more deadlier and destructive that last year. We are hoping for a lesser impact on the State of California, whom we have a lot of fire friends there.

Thank you for the amazing work you all have put in this year and in the past. You have overcome many challenges and extreme fire conditions.

2024 Season Fire Facts
. 8,110 wildfires . 1,077,711 acres burned. 1 fatality. 2,481 structures destroyed

Source: ca.gov
Photo Credit: CAL FIRE

10/20/2025

LABOR MOUNTAIN FIRE
Labor Mtn Fire


MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2025 FIRE UPDATE
@1130 PT

The LABOR MOUNTAIN FIRE is located about 10 miles north of Cle Elum (Kittitas County), Washington, in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.

The fire ignited on September 1, 2025, by lightning.

Fire behavior has been reduced significantly. Fire Officials stated that due to the prolonged wetting, the fuels would have to dry out but they don't see this happening.

This fire along with its counterpart Lower Sugarloaf Fire received significant rain over the weekend up to 1/2 inch falling over the fire area.

There are still 495 total personnel along with 5 crews, 5 engines, 2 helos and 4 heavy equipment remain assigned to this incident under the management of the NW Team 3, a CIMT.

Fire Officials stated 42,967 acres of timber and brush have been burned. There is a 54% containment status as of today's date.

Two homes have been reported as lost. Despite this, residents can see all evacuation orders & warnings lifted.

Closures and Safety remain in effect: Fire closures remain in place for both the WA DNR’s Teanaway Community Forest and the U.S. Forest Service - Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest due to the Labor Mountain Fire. These temporary closures are needed to ensure the safety of firefighters and the public. Fire crews are still actively working in the area, and many fire-related environmental hazards remain. Please check the status of area closures before planning to visit lands adjacent to the fire.

Cost to date: 61.5 Million Dollars.

Sources: NIFC, Labor Mountain Fire 2025
Photo Credit: Labor Mountain Fire 2025

10/16/2025

Out of Area - A need for Mutual Aid. Literally

If anyone can help, please reach out to this fire agency in this post.

10/16/2025

TUNNEL CREEK FIRE | October 16, 2025 @ 1400 PT

The TUNNEL CREEK FIRE, Incident -OLF-000461, was sparked by lightning on September 6, 2025, 10 miles southwest of Quilcene, Washington State. It is also said to be located in a remote area of the Buckhorn Wilderness in Olympic National Forest.

Today, the fire has burned a total of 596 acres of timber, and a 0% containment status remains.

Fire Officials are reporting that fire behavior is minimal. There has been no fire growth within the last 24 hours.

Trail closures remain in effect.

PHOTO CREDIT
Olympic National Forest

PHOTO DESCRIPTION
Unknown when the photo was taken.

10/16/2025

WILDCAT FIRE | 30 miles W of Naches, WA | 10/16/2025 1345 PT


The WILDCAT FIRE ignited on August 25, 2025, from lightning about 30 miles west of Naches, Washington State.

This wildfire has burned 15,592 acres of timber, and Fire Officials are reporting a 5% containment status.

Fire behavior has been observed as moderate, which continues to threaten structures in the area. Evacuation notices remain in effect. Road, trail, and area closures are also facing the same state.

PHOTO CREDIT
Inciweb

PHOTO DESCRIPTION
Fire near Bumping Lake, taken on 9/19/2025, was said to not be impacting the Dam at that time.

10/16/2025

MOON COMPLEX | 11 miles NE of Agness, OR | 10/16/2025 1330PT


The MOON COMPLEX, Incident -RSF-000399, is being managed by the Nevada Tem 4, an IMT Type 3. This wildfire started on September 4, 2025, from an undetermined cause.

The fires have burned a total of 19,520 acres and is showing the fire behavior is minimal. No fire growth has occurred within the last 24 hours.

Evacuation notices are in effect, as structures remain threatened, along with road, trail, and area closures.

Two wildfires, BACKBONE and PINNACLE, are within this complex and are considered uncontained at the time of this update.

# #

PHOTO CREDIT
Inciweb

PHOTO DESCRIPTION | Cold Trailing
Firefighters search for and extinguish any hidden sources of heat.

10/16/2025

LOWER SUGARLOAF FIRE | OCT 16, 2025 UPDATE

The LOWER SUGARLOAF FIRE started on September 1, 2025, by lightning. It is located about 12 miles northeast of Leavenworth, WA.

The fire has burned 42,980 acres of timber and is considered to be at a 99% containment status. GREAT NEWS!

Fire behavior has been observed as minimal.

Road, trail, and area closures are still in effect.

Source: NWCC
Photo Credit: Inciweb
Photo Description:

The Umatilla Hand Crew conducts chipping operations along the 111 Spur Road in Division Uniform near the southernmost point of the Lower Sugarloaf Fire footprint, processing downed and limbed fuels, and other flammable organic materials. (Taken on 10/14/2025)

10/16/2025

NW FIRES AND WEATHER REPORT | THURSDAY, OCT 16, 2025

Temperatures ranged from the mid-50s to the mid-60s across Oregon and Washington. Relative humidity dropped into
the mid-20s in central Washington and was mid-40s to mid-50s elsewhere. Winds were light with some stronger gusts in
eastern Oregon. Scattered, light precipitation occurred in isolated areas of Oregon. Initial attack activity was light while
prescribed fire implementation continued.

10 wildfires continue to burn in our region:

LABOR MTN FIRE
10 miles N of Cle Elum, WA.

LOWER SUGARLOAF FIRE
12 miles NE of Leavenworth, WA.

MOON COMPLEX
11 miles NE of Agness, OR.

WILDCAT FIRE
30 miles W of Naches, WA.

TUNNEL CREEK FIRE
10 miles SW of Quilcene, WA

BEAR GULCH FIRE
10 miles NW of Hoodsport, WA

SNOW PEAK FIRE
19 miles W of Kettle Falls, WA

EMIGRANT FIRE
24 miles SE of Oakridge, OR.

FOLEY RIDGE FIRE
7 miles SE of McKenzie Bridge, OR.

POMAS FIRE
36 miles NW of Entiat, WA.

(Source: NWCC)

Send a message to learn more

10/16/2025

LABOR MTN FIRE | 10/16/2025 1300 PT


Great news on this wildfire!

INCIDENT SUMMARY
The fire started on September 1, 2025, as a result of lightning. It is located about 13 miles northeast of Cle Elum, Washington.

RESOURCES
Personnel: 1,099
Crews: 28
Engines: 34
Helicopters: 9
Heavy Equipment: 17
Water Tenders: 11
(Source: Inciweb)

PARTNERS
Chelan County EMA, Chelan County SO, Labor Mountain Fire 2025, NWCC, Inciweb, NIFC, USDA Forest Service (Lead),

EVAUCATIONS
All evacuation levels were removed on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 (Source: Chelan County EMA)

CURRENT STATUS
The fire has burned approximately 42,845 acres of timber and brush. There is a 30% containment status. It has been slated for full containment by November 1, 2025.

WEATHER
Recent snow continues to melt under sunny skies and warmer daytime temperatures. Smoldering fuels visible during aerial patrols signaled the onset of drying conditions, though many roads remained inaccessible due to snow, especially at higher elevations.

SMOKE & HEAT
Smoke was visible in the Devil’s Gulch and Bear Creek areas, where firefighters mopped up the fire’s edge and patrolled for fire activity. Heat was also visible on the north side, where the fire continues to hold between Ingalls Creek and Etienne Creek. South of Windmill Point, engines monitored the road systems, and on the western side of the fire, crews removed structure protection wrap, hose,
and other equipment that is no longer needed.

MOP-UP & SUPPRESSION WORK
Today, crews will continue mop-up and suppression repair work where possible, given ongoing weather-related access challenges. Structure protection crews will continue working in communities near the fire, where suppression repair work needs to be completed, and engines will continue patrolling the Valley Hi area overnight.

The recent/predicted weather, current fire activity, and work accomplished by firefighters will lead to resources being released as objectives are met. Firefighters will be pulling hoses, pumps, and other excess equipment, and helicopters will aid in hauling that equipment out of the fire area.

(Source: NWCC)

PHOTO CREDIT
Incidweb

PHOTO DESCRIPTIONS
Rolling Hose on a Cache
Snow on a mountainside
Firefighters working to contain a Fire
Heat above Hwy 97 - northern portion of the fire

10/12/2025

Pretty amazing things are happening here. Check out this post courtesy of PIOs.