National Weather ServiceWashingtonRed Flag WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
Red Flag Warnings in Washington
The National Weather Service issued 39 red flag warnings for Washington in 2025 and 31 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 15th most of any state. 2026 through September: 48, 59% above the average of 30 for those months in 2008-2025. Okanogan Valley was covered most often (124 times since 2008).
How many red flag warnings does Washington get?
Every red flag warning that covered part of Washington. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 48 |
| 2025 | 39 |
| 2024 | 41 |
| 2023 | 34 |
| 2022 | 29 |
| 2021 | 28 |
| 2020 | 24 |
| 2019 | 21 |
| 2018 | 31 |
| 2017 | 38 |
| 2016 | 31 |
| 2015 | 48 |
| 2014 | 44 |
| 2013 | 28 |
| 2012 | 37 |
| 2011 | 18 |
| 2010 | 20 |
| 2009 | 20 |
| 2008 | 27 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Okanogan Valley | 124 | 46 | August 27, 2026 |
| Lower Columbia Basin of Washington | 117 | 0 | August 30, 2021 |
| Eastern Washington Southern Columbia Basin | 116 | 0 | August 30, 2021 |
| Central Cascade Valleys | 115 | 0 | August 30, 2021 |
| Northern Columbia Basin | 109 | 0 | August 30, 2021 |
| South Central Cascade Valleys | 101 | 0 | August 30, 2021 |
| East Slopes of the Southern Washington Cascades | 87 | 0 | August 15, 2021 |
| West Slopes of the Central Cascades Generally above 1500 Feet | 67 | 22 | August 22, 2026 |
| Blue Mountains of Washington | 65 | 10 | August 22, 2026 |
| Waterville Plateau | 58 | 51 | August 27, 2026 |
| West Slopes of the North Cascades Generally above 1500 Feet | 57 | 18 | August 22, 2026 |
| Central Washington Cascade Foothills | 51 | 46 | August 22, 2026 |
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.
The latest red flag warnings for Washington in AreaZine's record
NWS SpokaneWarningAugust 26, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Okanogan Valley and Waterville Plateau, WA
Expired 8:00 p.m. PDT, August 27, 2026
NWS SeattleWarningAugust 22, 2026
Red Flag Warning: West Slopes of the Central Cascades Generally above 1500 Feet, WA
Expired 5:00 p.m. PDT, August 22, 2026
NWS SeattleWarningAugust 21, 2026
Red Flag Warning: West Slopes of the Central Cascades Generally above 1500 Feet, WA
Expired 5:00 p.m. PDT, August 22, 2026
NWS PendletonWarningAugust 21, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Northern Blue Mountains of Oregon and Blue Mountains of Washington, OR and WA
Expired 11:00 p.m. PDT, August 22, 2026
NWS SpokaneWarningAugust 21, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Selkirk Mountains of Northeast Washington, WA
Expired 11:00 a.m. PDT, August 23, 2026
NWS SpokaneWarningAugust 17, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Lower Palouse / Snake River, WA
Expired 10:00 p.m. PDT, August 18, 2026
NWS SpokaneWarningAugust 14, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Lower Palouse / Snake River, WA
Expired 9:00 p.m. PDT, August 15, 2026
NWS PendletonWarningAugust 14, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Northern Blue Mountains of Oregon, Canyon Grassland of Wallowa County, Blue Mountains of Washington and 1 more, OR and WA
Expired 9:00 p.m. PDT, August 15, 2026
This list is AreaZine's record of the NWS alert feed, kept since April 6, 2026; the counts above come from the complete IEM archive.
Source: National Weather Service alerts (api.weather.gov).
What is a red flag warning?
A red flag warning means critical fire weather is happening or about to happen: strong wind, very low humidity and dry fuels together, so a fire that starts can spread fast. Each office sets the criteria with its land-management partners. A warning means the hazard is happening, about to happen, or very likely: act now to protect people and property. The national record · Every warning type in Washington.