Thu Sep 11 23:40:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Washington state is experiencing an above-normal fire season, with approximately 80,500 acres currently burning, primarily due to lightning storms during red flag conditions. While the total acreage burned is still below the 10-year average, the number of fire ignitions is in line with predictions. Air quality concerns are present, especially in central and eastern Washington. Officials urge residents to adhere to burn bans, as human activity is responsible for most wildfires in the state. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is focused on containing 12 large fires of concern, which account for the majority of the acreage burned.

**News Article:**

**Washington State Battles Above-Normal Fire Season**

**OLYMPIA, WA -** Washington state is grappling with an active wildfire season, with nearly 80,500 acres consumed by flames as of Monday. According to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), recent lightning storms during “red flag” conditions have fueled several large fires across the state.

“Part of the reason that you are seeing a lot of those large fires on the landscape is because we had several lightning storms that moved through during red flag conditions,” said DNR Public Information Officer Ryan Rodruck.

While the total acreage burned this year, approximately 122,300 acres, remains below the 10-year annual average of 470,000 acres, the number of new fire ignitions is reportedly on par with pre-season predictions.

“I’d say we’re on par with the prediction that we made earlier, that it would be an above-normal fire season,” Rodruck stated.

The fires have led to air quality concerns in several regions, particularly in central and eastern Washington.

DNR officials are emphasizing the importance of adhering to burn bans, as human-caused fires account for approximately 90% of wildfires in Washington. Rodruck urges everyone to “Absolutely respect those burn bans where they are in place,” and to follow any evacuation notices.

The DNR is currently focused on containing 12 large fires of concern, which encompass 71,350 acres. Rodruck added that these fires “have well exceeded the 10,000-acre mark,” and the DNR is “dedicating a tremendous number of resources to ensure that those fires get contained.”

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