McCully and North Pole Fires Trigger Evacuations in Baker and Grant Counties Overnight

Two new wildfires that ignited Saturday night in Baker County, Oregon have triggered mandatory evacuation orders affecting residents across Baker and Grant counties as of Monday morning, August 24, 2026, according to the Baker County Sheriff's Office and Oregon KPTV updates.

The McCully Fire is estimated at approximately 2,400 acres, while the North Pole Fire is estimated at 300 acres. Both fires are burning within or near the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, and firefighters are currently engaged. According to the U.S. Forest Service, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest crews responded to 16 wildfires on Saturday alone, with additional smoke reports still arriving Sunday morning.

Current Evacuation Zones

The Baker County Sheriff's Office has issued the following evacuation levels as of Monday morning:

Baker County

Level 3 – GO NOW: South of Baker/Grant County Line, including Mayflower Meadow, North Fork Rock Creek, west of Pine Creek and Rock Creek Lake, north of Mammoth Road and Pole Creek Ridge, east of Mount Ireland.
Level 2 – BE SET: East of Baker/Grant County Line, north of Granite Hill Road and the 5532 and 6540 Roads, west of Forest Road 6510/Baboon Creek and Pine Creek, south of Forest Road 5520. Also: North of Mayflower Meadow, Summit Lake, and North Fork Rock Creek, east of the Baker/Grant County Line (Elkhorn Mountains ridgeline), south of Dutch Flat Trail, west of Clapp Meadow and Locken Meadow.

Grant County

Level 3 – GO NOW: North of the Baker/Grant County Line and surrounded by the North Fork John Day Wilderness.
Level 2 – BE SET: West of the Baker/Grant County Line, south of Cunningham Trail, North Fork of the John Day River, east of Baldy Creek and Corral Creek, north of Granite Hill Road.

What the Levels Mean

Level 3 (GO NOW): Leave immediately. Do not wait for official notice. Danger is imminent.
Level 2 (BE SET): Prepare to leave at a moment's notice. Load vehicles, gather medications, documents, and pets.
Level 1 (BE READY): Be aware of the fire's potential to affect your area and be ready to act quickly.

Context: Baker County Has Seen a Busy Fire Season

Baker County residents have endured a particularly active summer. Earlier in August, evacuation orders in parts of Baker County were lifted as crews made progress on multiple fires in the Elkhorn Mountains. But the region's remote terrain, steep slopes, and cured fuels continue to generate rapid fire starts with each round of dry thunderstorms or wind events.

Residents in evacuation zones should follow all instructions from the Baker County Sheriff's Office and Grant County Sheriff's Office. Do not return until evacuation orders are officially lifted.