Two uncontained wildfires burning in the Clackamas River Ranger District of the Mt. Hood National Forest have surpassed 10,000 combined acres and continue to grow, prompting emergency closures across a wide swath of one of Oregon's most beloved recreational landscapes.

The Austin Fire, which ignited on August 9, 2026, approximately 25 miles southeast of Estacada in Clackamas County, had grown to roughly 9,237 acres and was 0 percent contained as of late last week, according to KPTV. The companion Narrows Fire, burning nearby, has consumed approximately 284 acres and is also 0 percent contained. Together, the fires have forced U.S. Forest Service officials to expand emergency closures across a large portion of the Clackamas River Ranger District.

Road and Recreation Closures

Highway 224 has been closed east of Fish Creek due to the fire activity, cutting off access to the upper Clackamas River corridor. The Forest Service's expanded emergency closure order — updated August 20 — has shut down public entry and travel across multiple roads and some of the region's most popular destinations, including:

  • Lake Harriet Recreation Area
  • Timothy Lake and surrounding campgrounds
  • Bagby Hot Springs
  • Multiple Forest Service roads in the Clackamas River Ranger District

OPB reported that the closures encompass "popular recreation sites" used heavily during the summer and Labor Day season.

Level 3 Evacuations Issued

The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office issued a Level 3 "Go Now!" evacuation notice for affected areas near the Austin Fire perimeter. Level 3 is the most urgent evacuation level under Oregon's system, indicating imminent danger and directing residents to leave immediately without waiting for further instructions.

New Command Team Takes Over

A new Incident Management Team was brought in on August 24 to take over command of the Austin and Narrows fires. Officials cited the need for fresh leadership and a renewed operational strategy given the fires' continued growth and the challenging terrain in the Mt. Hood National Forest, which includes steep drainages and dense timber fuels that have hampered containment efforts.

Governor Kotek Surveys Fire Front

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek toured the state's fire operations on August 28, traveling with the Oregon Military Department and the Oregon State Fire Marshal. Speaking to reporters afterward, Kotek acknowledged that the season still has significant fire potential remaining and urged Oregonians to remain vigilant.

The Oregon State Fire Marshal's office maintains interactive maps of current incidents and evacuation levels at its website. Residents in Clackamas County should monitor the county's emergency alert system and be prepared to evacuate on short notice. The Austin Fire remains one of Oregon's most actively growing incidents.