The 2026 Grasshopper Fire has left an indelible mark on the landscape east of Mount Hood, burning nearly 94,000 acres across the Mt. Hood National Forest and the Badger Creek Wilderness before crews achieved full containment in early October. The fire, which ignited from a lightning strike, became one of the largest fires in the recorded history of the Mt. Hood National Forest and one of Oregon's most significant wildfire events of the season.

Fire Summary

The Grasshopper Fire burned in Hood River and Wasco counties, centered approximately 14 miles southwest of Dufur, Oregon. At its peak, the fire covered 93,971 acres — a vast swath of timber, brush, hardwood litter, and closed canopy forest that had accumulated decades of fuel load.

  • Location: Mt. Hood National Forest, Hood River and Wasco counties, OR
  • Cause: Lightning ignition
  • Total size: 93,971 acres
  • Structures destroyed: 6 homes, 15 additional structures
  • Containment: 98% as of September 30; full containment achieved in early October

Wildfire in the Badger Creek Wilderness

A significant portion of the Grasshopper Fire burned within the Badger Creek Wilderness — a rugged, roadless area southeast of Mount Hood that is managed to preserve its natural character. Wilderness areas present unique firefighting challenges, as mechanized equipment and motorized vehicles are generally prohibited inside wilderness boundaries. Crews relied heavily on hand line construction, aerial retardant drops at the wilderness edges, and strategic use of natural barriers.

The fire's passage through the wilderness will have long-lasting ecological effects. While fire is a natural part of these forest ecosystems and many plant species are adapted to or dependent on periodic fire, the intensity and extent of this year's burn will require years or decades of recovery in some areas. Fire ecologists expect significant changes to tree canopy cover, understory composition, and watershed hydrology in the burned area.

Community Impact

Six homes and 15 other structures were destroyed during the fire. Road and trail closures were implemented across a large portion of the eastern Mt. Hood National Forest, affecting hikers, horseback riders, and other recreationists during the peak summer season. Some closures remain in effect as of October to allow post-fire stabilization work to continue.

The Grasshopper Fire also contributed to regional air quality degradation, with smoke plumes affecting communities in the Hood River Valley, Dufur, and as far east as The Dalles during periods of high fire activity.

What Comes Next

The Mt. Hood National Forest is expected to develop a post-fire recovery plan in the coming months. This will include assessments of erosion risk, invasive species establishment potential, watershed protection needs, and trail restoration priorities. Public input opportunities will be announced through the forest's official channels.

Meanwhile, the Badger Creek Wilderness will be managed in a way that allows natural recovery processes to unfold, consistent with wilderness management philosophy. Some trails in the burn area may remain closed through 2027 as snag hazards — standing dead trees — are assessed and cleared from high-use corridors.