Here in the American West, a new generation of wildfires has become part of daily life. As the climate continues to warm and drought becomes more prolonged, our wildfire risk will continue to increase.

The first step to reducing exposure to harm from increasingly severe wildfires is to become more aware and informed about how to more safely live in this dynamic, fire-prone landscape. As we educate ourselves about the role and realities of wildfires in the Pacific Northwest, we can take proactive, essential actions that will help make our families, communities, and economies more resilient in the face of 21st Century wildfire threats.

This Fire Facts guide was created to provide basic wildfire information, background, terminology, and resources to increase your knowledge and understanding of wildland fire and the ways we can all contribute to better fire outcomes.