Big spike in human-caused fires across Washington and Oregon in 2023

There has been a considerable rise in human-caused fires across Washington and Oregon in 2023.

According to the Forest Service, there were 86 human-caused fires in National Forests across Washington and Oregon by this time of year in 2022. Since June 1, 2023, there have been 197 such fires.

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"While the explanation for this change is unknown, one thing is clear. Human caused fires are preventable. Now, seasonal lightning storms and gusty winds in the forecast heighten the risk of lightning caused fires. Firefighters have less capacity to respond to these fires if they’re already suppressing human-caused fire starts," the Forest Service said in a statement.

The Forest Service notes that the region's drought conditions are making fire dangers worse. A drought emergency has been declared in 12 Washington counties, including: Benton, Clallam, Columbia, Jefferson, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan, Skagit, Snohomish, Walla Walla, Whatcom, and Yakima.

When Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz spoke with Northwest News Network in late July, she said that a majority of fires — "well over 80-85%" — have been caused by humans. At that time, more than 80,000 acres in Washington had burned.

Though while other parts of the United States have recently experienced poor air quality, Washington state has mostly been free of smoky skies so far this summer. That's thanks to favorable winds coming inland from the Pacific Ocean, blowing smoke out of the region and keeping the skies clear. However, if wind conditions change, so could the air quality.

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The Forest Service is not alone in its warning. Local agencies have reported similar issues with fires. By July 12, West Pierce Fire reported that it had responded to as many brush fires by that time in 2023 as it had in all of 2022.

As of Tuesday morning, there were 25 fires currently burning in Washington state, including one considered "large."