Two significant wildfires in eastern Oregon remain largely uncontained as of August 23, 2026, keeping rural communities, ranchers, and emergency managers on high alert as critical fire weather conditions persist through the weekend.

Hagen Fire — Umatilla County

The Hagen Fire, burning approximately 26 miles east of Pendleton in Umatilla County, has scorched 56,419 acres and is only 14% contained. The fire has been burning in the rugged country along the Umatilla National Forest boundary, threatening ranch properties, grazing lands, and rural infrastructure.

The fire previously forced the closure of Oregon Highway 204 between the communities of Elgin and Weston — a critical route for agricultural and commercial traffic in the region. That closure has since been lifted by the Umatilla County Sheriff's Office, though closures within the Umatilla National Forest remain in effect, affecting recreationists, grazing permittees, and timber operators.

Wildfire smoke from the Hagen Fire has contributed to the air quality advisories issued by the Oregon DEQ for Crook, Jefferson, Wallowa, and southern Wasco counties. Officials warn that additional closures could be reinstated quickly if fire behavior changes with weekend weather.

Wrights Spring Fire — Klamath County

The Wrights Spring Fire, burning two miles west of Sprague River in Klamath County, has burned 53,628 acres and reached 51% containment. The fire is burning in the ponderosa pine forests and grasslands of south-central Oregon, an area that has experienced significant fire history in recent decades.

While containment progress has been steadier on the Wrights Spring Fire than on the Hagen Fire, critical fire weather this weekend poses a risk that containment gains could be reversed. Fire managers are maintaining active patrols along containment lines and have positioned resources to respond quickly to any breakouts.

Other Notable Oregon Incidents

Several other Oregon fires are also worth monitoring:

  • Austin Fire: 2,650 acres, zero containment — 25 miles east of Estacada in the Mt. Hood area.
  • Fielder Mountain Fire: 573 acres, 29% contained — one mile west of Rogue River, in a populated area with structures threatened.
  • Rosenbaum Fire: 483 acres, 16% contained — northwest of Spray.
  • Picture Rock Fire: 300 acres, zero containment — north of Summer Lake.

The Fielder Mountain Fire near Rogue River is particularly notable for its proximity to homes and the community's urban-wildland interface. Residents in the Rogue River area are advised to remain alert and have evacuation plans ready.

Ranching and Agricultural Impacts

Eastern Oregon's ranching community has borne heavy losses this fire season, with hundreds of thousands of acres of grazing land scorched and fencing, water infrastructure, and corrals destroyed across multiple fires. The Oregon Farm Bureau and Oregon Cattlemen's Association have been coordinating emergency livestock assistance and hay donation efforts for affected ranchers. Federal disaster assistance programs through USDA's Farm Service Agency may be available to agricultural producers in declared disaster areas.

Residents and property owners in areas near active fires should monitor the Oregon Office of Emergency Management (oregon.gov/oem) and their county sheriff's office for the latest evacuation information.