Washington Braces for Extreme Fire Weather

A fire weather watch has been issued for Saturday, July 26, 2026, for the Columbia Basin and North Central Washington. Meteorologists predict strong winds and critically low humidity, increasing the likelihood of rapid fire spread. Wind gusts are expected to reach 25-30 mph on Friday and intensify on Saturday, with potential for gusts over 40 mph in the Moses Lake-Othello corridor. Relative humidity will drop to between 15-25 percent across the region.

Officials are urging extreme caution to avoid any activities that could spark a fire, emphasizing that any blaze that ignites is likely to escalate quickly. Grant County and its municipalities have maintained a ban on outdoor burning since June 1, with citations issued for violations. This year is described as one of the more extreme summers, leading to a busy season for firefighters. Additionally, lightning in nearby counties could contribute to more fires and spread smoke into the affected areas.