Lightning-related wildfires surge in Washington as climate change intensifies

VIDEO: Most wildfires are started by people, but lightning-caused fires could become more common with climate change.

Data from the Northwest Coordination Center shows Washington and Oregon’s lightning strikes skyrocketed in 2025.

The nearly 140,000 lightning strikes between June and September was the second highest this century – 200% more than normal.

Those lightning strikes led to 371 naturally-caused fires in 2025 in addition to 1,503 human-caused fires, according to NWCC.

So far this year, there have been 19 naturally-caused wildfires on state land, according to Washington State Department of Natural Resources data.

Lightning strikes when there is energy in the atmosphere and burns 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

Lightning is more common with warmer temperatures. A University of California report shows the number of lightning strikes is expected to increase by 12% for every 2 degrees Fahrenheit the planet warms.

KING-TV NBC 5 Seattle