National Weather ServiceWashingtonFire Weather WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
Fire Weather Watches in Washington
The National Weather Service issued 25 fire weather watches for Washington in 2025 and 20 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 14th most of any state. 2026 through September: 27, 38% above the average of 20 for those months in 2008-2025. Lower Columbia Basin of Washington was covered most often (76 times since 2008).
How many fire weather watches does Washington get?
Every fire weather watch that covered part of Washington. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 27 |
| 2025 | 25 |
| 2024 | 24 |
| 2023 | 18 |
| 2022 | 17 |
| 2021 | 20 |
| 2020 | 20 |
| 2019 | 21 |
| 2018 | 17 |
| 2017 | 21 |
| 2016 | 22 |
| 2015 | 33 |
| 2014 | 22 |
| 2013 | 19 |
| 2012 | 18 |
| 2011 | 10 |
| 2010 | 11 |
| 2009 | 16 |
| 2008 | 20 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does Washington get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in Washington?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Columbia Basin of Washington | 76 | 0 | July 14, 2021 |
| Okanogan Valley | 74 | 28 | August 27, 2026 |
| Eastern Washington Southern Columbia Basin | 70 | 0 | July 14, 2021 |
| Northern Columbia Basin | 66 | 0 | September 8, 2021 |
| Central Cascade Valleys | 63 | 0 | August 30, 2021 |
| South Central Cascade Valleys | 61 | 0 | August 30, 2021 |
| East Slopes of the Southern Washington Cascades | 58 | 0 | August 15, 2021 |
| Blue Mountains of Washington | 42 | 4 | August 1, 2026 |
| West Slopes of the Central Cascades Generally above 1500 Feet | 40 | 16 | August 14, 2026 |
| West Slopes of the North Cascades Generally above 1500 Feet | 37 | 14 | August 22, 2026 |
| Waterville Plateau | 35 | 32 | August 27, 2026 |
| Eastern Washington East Columbia Basin | 34 | 0 | September 8, 2021 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
What is a fire weather watch?
A fire weather watch means critical fire weather conditions are possible in the coming days; it often comes before a red flag warning. A watch means the conditions for the hazard are possible or favourable, but it is not yet happening: be ready to act if a warning follows. The national record · Every warning type in Washington.