Checking a map of Oregon fires today feels a lot different in the middle of January than it does in the smoky haze of August. Honestly, most people searching for fire data right now are probably seeing a lot of dots on the map that aren't actually "wildfires" in the way we usually think of them.
Winter in the Pacific Northwest usually means rain, snow, and mud. But that doesn't mean the maps are empty. If you look at the State of Oregon Fires Dashboard or the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center (NWCC) feeds right now, you're going to see activity.
The catch? It’s almost entirely controlled.
Reading the Current Map of Oregon Fires Today
When you pull up an interactive tracker like the one from The Oregonian or the NIFC (National Interagency Fire Center), you might see names like "South Pen Rx Piles" or "Indian Henry Piles." Those "Rx" tags are the giveaway. They stand for "prescribed."
Right now, fire crews are taking advantage of the damp, cold January weather to burn through slash piles and overgrown underbrush. It’s part of a massive statewide effort to make sure that when July hits, we don't have quite so much fuel sitting on the forest floor.
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- South Pen Rx Piles - East: Located in Wasco County, this has been an active project as of mid-January 2026.
- Lake Piles Rx - West: A Clackamas County project that recently popped up on trackers.
- Bear Wallow RX: Another one you'll see on the dashboard, typically around 129 acres of managed burning.
It's kinda wild how many of these there are. On a single day in mid-January, there can be over a dozen active "incidents" listed. But if you look at the containment or the "type," they are almost always listed as prescribed.
Why the Red Flag Warnings in Winter?
You might have seen a weird notification on your phone recently. A Red Flag Warning. In January? Yeah, it happened.
Recently, parts of the North Oregon Coast Range and the Willamette Valley were put under these warnings. It wasn't because of heat. It was because of a specific combo of dry east winds and low humidity. Basically, even when it’s cold, if the air gets dry enough and the wind kicks up to 40 mph, a stray spark can still travel.
The National Preparedness Level is currently at 1. That’s the lowest it goes. It means there’s plenty of help available if something does go sideways, unlike the summer months when resources are stretched thin from Medford to Pendleton.
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The La Niña Factor
We are currently sitting in a weak La Niña pattern. For Oregon, that usually means we should be wetter and colder than average. So far, the "colder" part is definitely happening. The "wetter" part? It’s been a bit hit-or-miss depending on which side of the Cascades you're on.
The Climate Prediction Center is keeping a close eye on this because if the snowpack doesn't hold, the map of Oregon fires today is going to look a lot more intimidating by May.
Tracking Real-Time Air Quality
Sometimes the smoke you see isn't from a fire in Oregon at all. It can drift. But right now, most "smoke" on the map is localized from those prescribed burns.
If you’re sensitive to air quality, you shouldn't just look at fire maps. You need the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map. It combines the fire locations with actual sensor data from the Oregon DEQ.
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- Green: You're good to go.
- Yellow: Moderate. Maybe don't go for a 10-mile run if you have asthma.
- Orange/Red: This is rare in January unless you are standing right next to a slash pile burn.
Tools That Actually Work
Don't waste time on generic weather apps. If you want the real data that the pros use, go to the sources.
The NWCC Morning Brief is basically the "daily newspaper" for fire professionals. It’s updated every morning around 07:30. It lists every new start, even the tiny ones. Then there’s InciWeb. That’s the national clearinghouse for major incidents. If a fire gets a name and an "Incident Management Team," it goes there.
Currently, the map of Oregon fires today shows zero large, uncontained wildfires. That’s the best news we can get this time of year.
Actionable Next Steps for Oregonians
Even though the "fire season" feels miles away, the state is already moving. The Oregon Wildfire Hazard Map has been through a lot of political back-and-forth lately, with new legislation like Senate Bill 83 changing how risk is measured.
Instead of just watching the map, here is what you should actually do today:
- Sign up for OR-Alert: This is the statewide system that hits your phone if an evacuation is actually needed. It bypasses the "do not disturb" settings in real emergencies.
- Check your "Defensible Space": January is the best time to prune trees and clear those gutters. You don't want to be doing that when it's 95 degrees out.
- Monitor the NWCC 7-Day Outlook: This tool tells you the probability of a fire starting. It’s a great "early warning" system for hikers and campers.
Stay aware, but don't panic when you see those red dots on the map this month. Most of the time, it’s just the forest service doing the heavy lifting while the ground is still wet.