Lewis County Emergency Management

08/21/2026

There’s a red flag warning in place from Saturday to Sunday for almost all of Central and Eastern Washington as well as the Cascade foothills of Western Washington and areas around the Olympic Mountains. Check your local weather for specific timings and guidance at weather.gov. In Central and Eastern Washington, wind is expected to be between 15-25 mph with 40 mph gusts. There’s also the potential for lightning, which could spread fires more easily. A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.

Please do your part and reduce the possibility of flames and sparks! If you see a fire start, call 911 right away.

Find wildfire resources, including tips about evacuations and where to find the latest about wildfires in our state at https://mil.wa.gov/wildfire

Graphic courtesy Spokane office of the National Weather Service.

08/21/2026

🔥 Sage Creek Fire Update

The Sage Creek Fire is estimated at approximately 63 acres. The fire is burning in steep, difficult terrain, making access and containment challenging. While ground access remains limited, aerial resources are assisting with water and retardant drops.

You may be wondering why the acreage estimate has changed. Updated estimates are based on infrared (IR) flights, which provide a more accurate picture of the fire’s size and activity.

Although smoke may be visible from surrounding areas, the message remains:
✅ There are currently no active threats to any structures at this time.

Please help crews work safely:
- Do not fly drones near the fire. If a drone is in the area, firefighting aircraft may be forced to stop flying.
- Stay clear of firefighting operations and do not attempt to access the fire area.
- Use extra caution on nearby roads. Additional fire engines, support vehicles and personnel may be traveling through the area. Slow down, remain alert and give emergency vehicles plenty of room.

⛈️ Weather Outlook for Lewis County
The potential for showers and thunderstorms increases late Friday night and continues through Saturday, particularly over the Cascades. Thunderstorms may bring dangerous lightning, gusty winds, small hail and brief heavy rain. Lightning could also result in new fire starts. Cooler weather is expected to return Sunday and continue into next week.

We remain in contact with DNR, Pacific County Emergency Management, and other responding agencies and stakeholders. Additional updates will be shared as information becomes available.

08/21/2026

Good evening, Lewis County.
As some of you may have heard, the Sage Creek Fire started today outside of Pe Ell near the Lewis/Pacific County border.
We have been in contact with DNR, Pacific County, and other responding agencies and stakeholders. Additional resources are on the way.
The fire is currently estimated at approximately 70 acres, burning in timber, with multiple resources working the incident.
A few important reminders:
- There are no reported threats to structures at this time.
- Please do not fly drones near the fire. This includes water-loading locations and areas where firefighting aircraft are operating. Drones can interfere with firefighting operations and put pilots and firefighters at risk.
- Smoke will be visible in the area as the fire continues to burn.
- You will see a significant increase in fire apparatus and personnel traveling along Highway 6 and through the Pe Ell area. Please slow down, stay alert, and give emergency responders plenty of room.
- We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
Thank you for your cooperation and support of the firefighters and emergency personnel working the Sage Creek Fire. Stay safe, Lewis County.

08/14/2026

Keeping and eye on the Backbone fire. Follow the Gifford Pinchot National Forest- U.S. Forest Service to keep up-to-date on this fire.

08/14/2026

What does Emergency Management Month look like this week?
It has been looking like fair food, livestock, carnival rides, radios, emergency plans, and A LOT of walking. 😂
🎡 We’ve been at the Southwest Washington Fair all week!
The Fair gives us a great opportunity to do two things we really love:
👋 Get to know our community. Stop by, say hello, ask us questions, learn about preparedness, and find out what Emergency Management does.
🚨 Help keep the Fair safe. Behind the scenes, we work alongside Fair staff, law enforcement, fire, EMS, dispatch, and other partners to plan for and coordinate emergencies that could happen during the event.
Emergency Management isn't always sitting inside an Emergency Operations Center during a disaster. Sometimes it's being out in the community, building relationships and making sure plans are in place before they're ever needed.
And honestly … if a fair scone happens to find its way into our hands while we're doing it, that's just an occupational hazard.🎡
Come find us at the Olde Towne Fire House and say hi!

08/06/2026

Skyo Update

Skyo Fire Update August 6, 2026

The Level 1 Evacuation issued on 7/25/2026 by the Lewis County Sheriff, has been lifted as of this morning; 8/6/2026; by Lewis County Emergency Management.

Please be aware that Forest Closure Order #06-03-05-26-03, closing of NFS Road 4710 including all spurs, remain in full effect.
Fire restrictions also remain in effect on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. For more information, please visit the Gifford Pinchot National Forest webpage at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/giffordpinchot/alerts/fire-restrictions
Lewis County WA., Effective August 4th, 2026 at 12:01pm, a Total Burn Ban went into effect. For more information visit: https://lewiscountywa.gov/departments/community-development/burn-restriction-information/

08/06/2026

🚨 August is Emergency Management Month! 🚨

Throughout August, we’re going to give you a little peek behind the curtain at Lewis County Emergency Management ... who we are, what we do, and what exactly keeps us busy when there isn’t an emergency. (Spoiler: quite a bit.)

But first...

What in the world is an Emergency Manager?

We’re the people who help:
📝 Plan & Prepare – We work with communities, agencies, businesses, schools, and responders to prepare for disasters before they happen.
🤝 Coordinate – When something big happens, we help bring together law enforcement, fire/EMS, public works, public health, nonprofits, state and federal partners, and many others.
🚨 Respond – We help coordinate resources, information, emergency alerts, shelters, evacuations, and other needs during emergencies.
🏗️ Recover – When the immediate emergency is over, our work often isn’t. We help communities navigate recovery and get back on their feet.
🛡️ Build Resilience – Training, exercises, mitigation, public education, volunteer programs, and planning all help make Lewis County better prepared for the next emergency.

Basically, Emergency Managers plan for the “what if?” so our community is better prepared for the “now what?!”

Still wondering what that actually looks like? Here’s a quick video that gives a great glimpse into the world of Emergency Management: https://youtu.be/Tt_QVrnuW-A?si=cZv3jhNYwXrfvd6L.

Stay tuned throughout August, we’ll introduce you to our team, take you behind the scenes, and share more about what Emergency Management does for Lewis County.

August is National Emergency Management Awareness Month. Disaster...

08/04/2026

☀️🔥 Hot, Smoky and Crispy ... Oh My! 🔥☀️

Mother Nature is serving up a little bit of everything this week… except rain. 😅

Temperatures are expected to peak Wednesday and Thursday, while wildfire smoke from British Columbia and Eastern Washington continues drifting into our area. Smoke may stick around through Friday, especially near the Cascades.

A few friendly reminders:

💧 Drink plenty of water.
🧓 Check on older adults, young children, and neighbors.
🐾 Never leave children or pets in a parked vehicle, not even “for a minute.”
😷 Take outdoor activities down a notch when air quality is poor.
🏠 Keep windows and doors closed when smoke is present, if you can do so safely.
🔥 Be extra careful with anything that could create a spark. It is warm, dry, and primed for fire.

Air quality can change quickly and may look different from one end of Lewis County to the other. Check current conditions through the Southwest Clean Air Agency at swcleanair.gov.

Stay cool, breathe easy, and please don’t add any new fires to this week’s forecast! 🌲🔥

08/04/2026

🌫️ Smoke has moved into Western Washington

Smoke from wildfires in British Columbia and Eastern Washington is expected to continue filtering into our area through at least midweek. While some smoke will remain above the surface, smoke near ground level may increase and affect local air quality, especially Tuesday.

You can find current air-quality conditions, forecasts, and health information from the Southwest Clean Air Agency at:
🔗 https://www.swcleanair.gov/

When air quality is poor:
- Limit strenuous outdoor activity and spend more time indoors.
- Keep windows and doors closed when possible.
- Use air conditioning on “recirculate” and run a HEPA air cleaner if available.
- Avoid activities that add indoor pollution, such as burning candles, smoking, or vacuuming.
- If you must be outside, a well-fitting N95 or KN95 can help reduce exposure to smoke particles.
- Check on children, older adults, pregnant individuals, outdoor workers, and those with heart or lung conditions.
- Bring pets indoors and limit their outdoor activity.

If you experience severe trouble breathing, chest pain, or other signs of a medical emergency, call 911.

Smoke conditions can change quickly depending on fire activity and wind direction. Stay informed and continue monitoring local air quality. 🌫️

The Southwest Clean Air Agency (SWCAA) is responsible for enforcing federal, state and local outdoor air quality standards and regulations in Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Skamania and Wahkiakum counties of southwest Washington state. Our mission is to preserve and enhance air quality in southwest Washingt...

08/03/2026

BURN BAN IN EFFECT AT 12:01AM ON AUGUST 4 >>>> All outdoor burning, which includes recreational fires, will be prohibited begin Tuesday August 4, 2026. Until modified by the Lewis County Board of County Commissioners or the Lewis County Fire Marshal, only liquid gas or propane camp stoves that do not use solid briquettes and have on/off controls are permitted. Questions should be directed to Doyle Sanford, Lewis County Fire Marshal, at (360)740-2696. More information is available online at https://lewiscountywa.gov/.../burn-restriction-information/

BURN BAN IN EFFECT AT 12:01AM ON AUGUST 4 >>>> All outdoor burning, which includes recreational fires, will be prohibited beginning on Tuesday August 4, 2026. Until modified by the Lewis County Board of County Commissioners or the Lewis County Fire Marshal, only liquid gas or propane camp stoves that do not use solid briquettes and have on/off controls are permitted. Questions should be directed to Doyle Sanford, Lewis County Fire Marshal, at (360)740-2696. More information is available online at https://lewiscountywa.gov/departments/community-development/burn-restriction-information/ Please note, Governor Ferguson's burn ban did not prohibit campfires on private property or at state, county and municipal parks and campgrounds that are contained in structures such as fire rings or fire pits. Lewis County's burn ban DOES include campfires on private property. This has been a point of confusion. You can find the Governor's press release here https://governor.wa.gov/news/2026/governor-ferguson-declares-statewide-wildfire-emergency-issues-statewide-burn-ban . Because there are different rules in different counties, and on different lands (e.g., National Parks, Forest Service, State Parks), it is imperative that people review the applicable rules for their situation.