Paradise Fire Update: Water Quality and Planning
On Wednesday, August 26, 2026, local, state, and federal representatives gathered at Walla Walla Community College for an incident command briefing on the ongoing Paradise Fire and its impacts within the Mill Creek Municipal Watershed. The fire started by lightning on July 16, 2026, in Oregon before spreading into Washington. More than 8,000 acres within the 21,440-acre watershed have now been affected, about one-third of the watershed. The fire is expected to remain active into late summer. The City thanks Governor Bob Ferguson for attending the meeting and for his thoughtful questions regarding water quality and potential flooding, and appreciates the continued support and coordination of agency partners.
Water Quality
The Mill Creek Watershed provides approximately 85-90% of Walla Walla’s drinking water. Water from Mill Creek has consistently been high quality, meeting treatment requirements without the need for filtration; however, the City’s Water Treatment Plant is not equipped with a filtration system to handle large-scale changes in source water quality.
Wildfire can increase turbidity, nutrients, and other materials in waterways, making monitoring especially important. Water-quality testing has been increased to closely monitor conditions, and no impacts to water quality from the fire have been observed to date.
Six functional groundwater wells provide an additional source of water and can fully supplement the City’s surface water supply from Mill Creek should changes in water quality require an alternate source.
Looking Ahead
The City is working with state, federal, and higher-education partners to assess the watershed and plan for post-fire recovery. The full extent and severity of the fire’s effects are not yet known and will be evaluated as part of the process. Protecting water quality and understanding the fire’s other environmental impacts are top priorities. The City will continue to monitor water quality and provide updates on the fire, watershed conditions, and recovery efforts.
Receive Updates on Water Use and Conservation
The City partners with the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin to provide weekly updates on water usage and conservation through the Water Watcher program. Residents can follow the City of Walla Walla on social media, visit wallawallawa.gov/getnews, or sign up to receive updates by email or text message.
Pictured above, back row, from left: Public Works Director Ki Bealey, Walla Walla County Emergency Management Director Chris Lee, City Manager Elizabeth Chamberlain, and Walla Walla District Ranger for the Umatilla National Forest Johnny Collins; front row, from left: Walla Walla County Commissioners Gunner Fulmer and Bertha Clayton.
Gov. Bob Ferguson speaks at the incident command briefing at Walla Walla Community College.
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