Wildfire

From 2000 to 2022, wildfires greater than 1,000 acres in size burned an average of 32,396 acres per year, and in total burned 59 percent of the Methow Watershed. In comparison, from 1970 to 1999, wildfires greater than 1,000 acres in size burned an average of only 5,392 acres per year, and in total burned 3.7 percent of the Methow Watershed.

Burn severity data indicate that about 29 percent of the total fire acres during the 2000 to 2021 time period burned at high severity, about 26 percent at moderate severity, about 30 percent at low severity, and about 14 percent unburned or underburned, with about 1 percent of the fire acres having no fire severity level indicated.

Acres Burned and Fire Severity, 1000+ Acres, 2000-2022

Methow Watershed Wildfires, 1000+ Acres, 2000-2022

Methow Fire Names — Color does not indicate burn severity.

Data compilation and analysis by Julie Grialou. Graphics and photography by Benjamin Drummond.
Last updated June 2023.

Inspiring people to care for the land of the Methow Valley since 1996.

Join Team Methow Conservancy and support conservation work in the Methow Valley!