Critical Fire Weather Watch Issued as Wildfires Burn Across the Northwest

A critical fire weather watch is in effect across the region as strong winds and very dry conditions raise the risk of new wildfires. Fire crews are already responding to several large fires burning to the north, adding pressure as temperatures climb and fuels continue to dry.

The Burdoin Fire in the Columbia River Gorge has grown to roughly 9,000 acres on the Washington side of the river. Near the Oregon border, the Twin Sisters Fire has burned more than 3,000 acres and forced evacuations. Farther north, the Tule Fire south of Toppenish has reached about 5,000 acres.

Changing winds may push smoke and haze into Central Oregon and the Warm Springs area later today.

All Oregon Department of Forestry districts are now officially in fire season, reflecting the dry vegetation and elevated fire danger across the state.

On the Warm Springs Reservation, fire season was declared on May 26.

This year marks a major shift in wildfire management on the reservation. The newly formed U.S. Wildland Fire Service—a federal agency launched in January under the Department of the Interior—is now responsible for all official fire‑related declarations.

The agency was created to unify wildfire operations across the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Its mission is to improve wildfire prevention, response, and recovery across more than 500 million acres of public and tribal lands.

On the Warm Springs Reservation, the U.S. Wildland Fire Service now oversees:

• Fire season declarations
• Fire danger level changes
• Agency Administrator duties

These responsibilities were previously held by the BIA Superintendent. The new agency will continue to work in consultation with Warm Springs Fire Management.