Fire crews working on the Mt. Hood National Forest are nearing the finish line on two significant Oregon wildfires that helped define the 2026 fire season east of the Cascades. Both the Grasshopper and Austin fires have reached 98% containment, though area closures remain in place as crews work through final mop-up operations.

Grasshopper Fire: 93,972 Acres, Badger Creek Wilderness Impact Extensive

The Grasshopper Fire, burning 14 miles southwest of Dufur in Wasco County, grew into one of the largest Oregon wildfires in recent years before being brought under control by fire crews and falling fall temperatures. At 93,972 acres, the fire burned deeply into the Badger Creek Wilderness and surrounding timber lands.

According to Wikipedia's incident documentation, the Grasshopper Fire destroyed six homes and 15 other structures during its most aggressive run — a significant toll for communities east of the Cascades. The National Interagency Fire Center reports that fire behavior is now minimal, with smoldering activity along interior portions of the perimeter.

The Mt. Hood National Forest team continues to manage mop-up operations. Area, road, and trail closures remain in effect through the burn area. Visitors planning trips to the Badger Creek Wilderness should check forest closure maps before heading out.

Austin Fire: 12,888 Acres Near Estacada

The Austin Fire, located about 25 miles southeast of Estacada on the Mt. Hood National Forest, has burned 12,888 acres of brush, timber, and closed timber litter since its ignition this summer. Precipitation over the fire area in recent days helped crews consolidate containment lines and suppress smoldering hot spots.

Like the Grasshopper, the Austin Fire is in a final mop-up phase with minimal active fire behavior. Road and trail closures remain active in the affected areas. Both incidents share the same USFS contact: 541-982-5802.

Recovery and Restoration Ahead

With both fires approaching full containment, the Mt. Hood National Forest is beginning to shift focus toward post-fire assessment and restoration work. Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) teams will evaluate watershed impacts, erosion risk, and slope stability — particularly given the Grasshopper Fire's extensive run through the Badger Creek Wilderness.

  • Grasshopper Fire: 93,972 acres | 98% contained | Wasco County, Badger Creek Wilderness
  • Austin Fire: 12,888 acres | 98% contained | Clackamas County, southeast of Estacada
  • Both managed by Mt. Hood National Forest, USFS (541-982-5802)
  • Area closures remain in effect — check fs.usda.gov/mthood for updates

Both fires are expected to reach full containment as mop-up progresses through mid-October. InciWeb pages for each incident are available at inciweb.wildfire.gov.