This district contains some of the highest fire hazard areas in the Pacific Northwest. Lightning frequency is similar to the southern District. This district extends across the north part of eastern Washington from the Cascade crest to the Kettle River Ranger on the east. It includes the Okanogan NF, the Republic Ranger district of the Colville NF, land under the NE DNR, and the western and central parts of the Colville Indian Agency. The marine influence is less in this district than in the southern and central districts due to its more continental location.
Winds are generally lighter than the central and southern districts.
Lightning activity is great, averaging about 35 storm- days per season. The northeast district extends from Kettle River to the Idaho border, and south to the vicinity of Spokane. This district is normally more moist than the other districts since it extends into the western foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The southern portion around Spokane is the drier, windier section of this district. Lightning frequency is the greatest of any of the districts averaging 40 storm-days per season.