As of September 6, 2026, Oregon continues to battle nine large wildfires, with the state's 2026 fire season having already surpassed 2.5 million acres burned — a 29 percent increase over the previous record set in 2024. The fires are concentrated across eastern, north-central, and northwestern Oregon, stretching firefighting resources and testing agency coordination across multiple jurisdictions.
Eastern Oregon: Massive Fires Near Containment
The Big Grass Fire, burning approximately 25 miles southwest of Jordan Valley along the Oregon-Idaho border, remains the largest fire of the 2026 season at 578,637 acres. Managed by the Vale District of the Bureau of Land Management, the fire was 94 percent contained as of Saturday, September 5. Fueled by extremely dry grass and brush in the high desert, the Big Grass Fire presented severe suppression challenges throughout August before improving conditions allowed crews to substantially contain it.
The Rowe Creek Complex, managed by the Prineville District BLM and located about 10 miles south of Fossil, Oregon, has burned 373,927 acres and sits at 99 percent containment. Firefighters are finalizing mop-up operations on this massive complex, which was one of the most challenging of the season in north-central Oregon.
The Wrights Spring Fire in the Fremont-Winema National Forest, located 2 miles west of Sprague River in Klamath County, has burned 55,134 acres and is 95 percent contained. Crews continue mop-up and patrol activities.
North-Central Oregon: Grasshopper and Hagen Fires Dominate
The Grasshopper Fire, burning 14 miles southwest of Dufur on the Mt. Hood National Forest, has grown to 93,993 acres with 84 percent containment. Fire officials credit improved weather conditions and aggressive aerial operations for the progress. The fire has been a significant threat to communities along the eastern slopes of the Cascade Range.
The Hagen Fire on the Umatilla National Forest, burning approximately 26 miles east of Pendleton, remains one of the most active fires in the state. At 61,408 acres and only 55 percent contained, crews are focused on protecting range and timber resources in the Blue Mountains. The fire is managed by a Type 1 Incident Management Team.
Wallowa and Mt. Hood: Active Fires with Low Containment
The McCully Fire, burning 22 miles northwest of Baker City on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, has reached 13,501 acres with 25 percent containment. The fire is actively burning in steep, remote terrain, limiting ground crew access. Air resources have been critical to operations.
The Austin Fire on the Mt. Hood National Forest, approximately 25 miles southeast of Estacada, has burned 12,610 acres with only 21 percent containment. Crews are working to protect infrastructure and limit further spread in the upper Clackamas River drainage.
The Paradise Fire on the Umatilla National Forest, 18 miles east of Milton-Freewater, has burned 9,593 acres with 22 percent containment. Dry fuel conditions in the Blue Mountains continue to drive fire behavior. A smaller fire, The Narrows, is burning 15 miles southeast of Estacada on the Mt. Hood National Forest with 302 acres and 27 percent containment.
What’s Next
Improving fire weather is expected to continue through early next week, with cooler temperatures and increased precipitation in the forecast for much of eastern Oregon. Fire managers are cautiously optimistic that containment percentages will continue to climb. However, officials warn that late-season fire conditions can shift rapidly with any return of heat and low humidity.
Residents in communities near active fires are advised to monitor local emergency management channels and have evacuation plans ready. For the most current information, visit inciweb.wildfire.gov or the Oregon Department of Forestry website.