Border 2 Fire (Washington)
True color
Fire (SWIR)
Infrared / SWIR (right): sees through smoke.
🟢 green = vegetation
🟤 red/brown = burned
🟠 orange = active fire
Imagery: Sentinel-2 (Copernicus). Drag to compare smoke vs. infrared.
Heat detections: NASA FIRMS (last 48h).
Quick facts
- Location
- 36 Miles NE from Marblemount, WA
- Cause
- Natural
- Personnel
- 40
- Complexity
- Type 3 Incident
- Fuel
- Timber (Litter and Understory)
- Behavior
- Moderate, Flanking, Backing, Creeping
- Jurisdiction
- NPS · Federal land
Burning across federal timber and understory land in Whatcom County, the active Border 2 Fire near Marblemount, Washington, has consumed 8,043 acres since its natural ignition on July 17, 2026. Over forty-seven days of burning, the blaze has maintained an approximate average daily growth of 171 acres per day. Satellites are picking up two heat signatures near the fire area over a 48-hour period, reflecting the current footprint and spread of the incident.
Currently exhibiting moderate, flanking, backing, and creeping fire behavior, the incident is managed by a Type 3 Incident Command structure overseeing 41 personnel. Operations are led by the National Park Service, with total costs for the suppression effort reaching $4,452,237 as containment stands at 72 percent.
This incident unfolds during the region's typical fire season, which runs from June to October. Nationally, the broader context shows 3,161,746 hectares burned so far in 2026, marking a figure that is 42% below the two-decade average.
In context
This wildfire has been burning in Washington for 49 days. So far it has affected roughly 8,043 acres — about 33 km². About 72% of the perimeter is contained — over half is secured, though hotspots remain.
In the Northern Hemisphere, wildfire activity usually peaks during the warm, dry months — roughly May through October.
The bigger picture in United States
Across United States, roughly 3,177,542 hectares have burned so far in 2026 — 42% below the two-decade average. Data from Copernicus GWIS.
We'll email you if it grows, containment advances, or it ends.
No account. One-click unsubscribe. · Privacy
Community reports
Reports from people near the fire · unverified
Be the first to report what is happening →
Not official emergency information. In an emergency, contact fire services/authorities.
More fires in Washington
- CHELAN HILLS FireEnded
- Old Trails FireEnded
- Thunder Creek FireActive
- Electric FireActive
- Little Giant FireActive
- Fairview FireEnded