Oregon wildfire season nears record as red-flag warnings surge
KATU reported that Oregon's 2026 wildfire season was on track to surpass the state record, with 60 large fires having burned more than 2 million acres as of August 1. Earlier, the National Weather Service issued several Particularly Dangerous Situation red-flag warnings for eastern Oregon and Washington, citing wind gusts over 50 mph, low humidity and extreme heat that could accelerate fire spread. Washington Governor Bob Ferguson then declared a statewide emergency and banned most outdoor and agricultural burning through September 30 in response to the unprecedented wildfire threat.