Smoke travels westward as wildfires flare up in the Columbia Basin

Fire Activity and Smoke Impacts

With Smoke Ready Week barely a week behind us, the first smoke impacts of the season are being felt across southern Washington. 

Wildfire map from Watch Duty

The Snake River Fire started on June 12 near Clarkston. It has burned 686 acres and is 70% contained. The Juniper Dunes and Twin Sisters fires started on June 13 and have each burned over 3000 acres with 0% containment. Then, on June 14, both the Tule and OIE fires ignited. The Tule Fire has burned at least 5000 acres and is 0% contained. The OIE Fire has burned an estimated 500 acres and, sadly, has claimed several structures according to the Benton County Sheriff's Office. Forward progress of the OIE Fire has been stopped.

The most active fires on Sunday were the OIE Fire, Juniper Dunes Fire, and, most notably, the Tule Fire. Smoke plumes were visible on satellite imagery as northeast winds transported smoke toward the Columbia River Gorge.

Satellite imagery Sunday at 7:20 PM

The primary source of smoke through the gorge and into the Vancouver-Portland metro is the Tule Fire, which had an impressive plume visible on satellite imagery Sunday afternoon and evening.

Air Quality in The Dalles peaked at 159 (Unhealthy) at 11:00 PM. Several PurpleAir sensors from Goldendale to White Salmon also reported Unhealthy air quality. As of 9:00 AM Monday morning, Prosser is reporting Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.

Critical Fire Weather Tuesday

Northeast winds will transition back to westerlies this afternoon and evening as a marine push brings relief from the heat in Western Washington. As the westerlies begin to push across the Cascades, elevated fire weather conditions will develop Monday evening with hot, dry air in place.

On Tuesday, a strong, dry cold front will bring critical fire weather conditions to eastern Washington. With poor relative humidity recovery expected Monday night, a very warm and dry airmass will be in place as the winds arrive Tuesday morning. Any new starts could spread quickly as winds gust between 30-45mph. Crews may struggle to control existing incidents, particularly the Tule Fire and the Juniper Dunes Fire.

A Red Flag Warning is in effect for much of eastern Washington from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM Tuesday.

Red Flag Warning for Tuesday, June 16, 2026.

Elevated fire weather conditions will be intermittent throughout the rest of the week as winds remain breezy and with little, if any, precipitation in sight. 

Smoke Forecast

As westerly winds move back across the Cascades, areas to the west of existing fires will see improving air quality, especially Monday evening through Tuesday morning. This includes the Portland-Vancouver metro and the Columbia River Gorge.

Additional growth on existing fires, particularly the Tule Fire, will be possible Tuesday afternoon. The extent of fire growth will be dependent on containment progress on Monday. Smoke impacts may be possible for areas east of existing fires Tuesday afternoon and evening, including the Tri-Cities, Walla Walla, and the Palouse. Winds will turn more northerly as the evening progresses, sending smoke south across the Oregon border.

As always, it is impossible to predict where new ignitions will take place. New fires have potential to grow quickly on Tuesday, and the onset of smoke impacts may occur in a matter of minutes. Check out our blog posts from Smoke Ready Week to learn how you can prepare!