Originally published on July 2, 2021 6:07 pm File photo. Information on public fire danger signs comes from the National Fire Danger Rating System, which was recently updated for the first time in more than four decades. CREDIT: Jacob Frank/NPS READ ON The Northwest is primed for fire season, and not in a good way. East of the Cascades, forecasters say this year could be worse than recent record-breaking fire seasons. Washington officials predict this year could be a “huge challenge,” with no significant relief in sight. Across the Northwest, there are “unusually risky” conditions for large and costly fires, according to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center.