Two of Oregon's most significant fires of the 2026 season are closing in on full containment, offering some relief to communities in the Mt. Hood National Forest region that spent weeks under evacuation orders and air quality advisories earlier this summer and fall.

Grasshopper Fire: 93,972 Acres, 98% Contained

The Grasshopper Fire, burning in Hood River and Wasco Counties east of Mt. Hood, has been officially tracked at 93,972 acres and stands at 98% contained as of early October updates. The fire, which at its peak drove Level 3 "Go Now" and Level 2 "Be Set" evacuation orders across portions of Wasco County, is now primarily in mop-up mode.

The U.S. Forest Service issued an updated closure order for the Grasshopper Fire on October 1, 2026, citing the continued need to protect forest users and allow firefighting operations to finalize. The closure covers portions of the Mt. Hood National Forest in Hood River and Wasco Counties. Visitors and residents should check the Mt. Hood National Forest website for specific closure boundaries before entering the area.

At its most intense phase, the Grasshopper Fire mobilized more than 1,600 personnel and threatened rural communities along Highway 35 and the Hood River Valley. The fire burned through a mix of dense conifer forest and brushy slopes, creating challenging conditions for ground and air crews throughout the summer.

Austin Fire: 12,888 Acres

The Austin Fire, also tracked on InciWeb under the Malheur National Forest/Hood zone, stands at 12,888 acres. Earlier in the season, the Austin Fire crossed the Clackamas River as it grew rapidly, prompting urgent evacuation notices for portions of Clackamas County. Updated containment figures were last posted nearly two weeks ago, indicating that the fire has stabilized significantly.

Forest Closures Remain

Despite the high containment percentages, forest closures remain active around both fires. The Forest Service maintains these closures to protect the public from hazard trees, unstable terrain, and smoldering material that can pose risks weeks after a fire is largely contained.

  • Mt. Hood National Forest Grasshopper Fire closure: Updated October 1, 2026
  • Affected counties: Hood River and Wasco
  • Austin Fire: Clackamas County area, check InciWeb for current status

A Long Season for the Mt. Hood Area

The Mt. Hood area experienced an unprecedented level of fire activity in 2026, driven by below-average snowpack, an early dry season, and record summer heat. The Grasshopper Fire alone became the largest fire in the history of the Mt. Hood National Forest, surpassing previous records set during the 2020 Labor Day fires.

Community members, hikers, and visitors are encouraged to confirm closure status before recreating in the Mt. Hood National Forest. Call the Hood River Ranger District or visit the Forest Service website for up-to-date boundary information. The Oregon Department of Forestry's smoke blog (oregonsmoke.org) continues to provide daily forecasts for lingering smoke impacts in the region.