Two of the Pacific Northwest's most consequential wildfire events of the 2026 season are approaching full containment, offering some relief to the communities and fire crews that battled them across weeks of intense suppression activity. The Big Grass Fire in eastern Oregon and Idaho, and the Rowe Creek Complex in central Oregon, have collectively burned close to one million acres — but both are now largely contained and moving toward closeout operations.
Big Grass Fire: A Season-Defining Event
The Big Grass Fire burned across Malheur County in eastern Oregon and Owyhee County in Idaho, becoming one of the signature fire events of the 2026 season. As of late August, the fire had burned approximately 578,637 acres and reached 93–94% containment. Full containment is expected within the next several days, pending continued favorable weather.
The Big Grass Fire — which at its peak threatened extensive livestock operations, ranch infrastructure, and critical high desert habitat across a remote landscape — drew a massive multi-agency response. During the height of operations, Guard and Reserve aviation assets from California and other states were deployed northward under the Hercules Fire Surge program. Air tankers, single-engine air tankers (SEATs), and multiple helicopter resources were all committed to the effort at various points in the fire's progression.
The fire's footprint spans some of the most important rangeland in the Pacific Northwest, and land managers are now beginning post-fire rehabilitation assessments to evaluate soil stability, watershed impacts, and invasive species risk — particularly the potential for cheatgrass to colonize burned areas.
Rowe Creek Complex: 373,927 Acres, 92% Contained
The Rowe Creek Complex, burning in central Oregon's Prineville BLM District in Crook and Wheeler counties, stands at 373,927 acres with 92% containment as of August 30. Approximately 995 personnel remain assigned to the complex, focused on mopping up remaining hot spots and securing the fire perimeter against potential breakouts during continued dry fall weather.
The Rowe Creek Complex received significant public attention in late July when it threatened communities along Highway 26 in Crook and Wheeler counties. The Oregon Department of Transportation documented damage to highway infrastructure from fire-caused debris flows and erosion that will require ongoing repair work extending into next year.
Long Road to Recovery
Fire containment marks the beginning — not the end — of the recovery process for affected communities and landscapes. Land managers from the Bureau of Land Management, Oregon Department of Forestry, and U.S. Forest Service are conducting post-fire assessments to evaluate watershed impacts, erosion risk, and the need for Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation (ES&R) treatments, including seeding, mulching, and erosion barrier installation.
Ranchers and agricultural producers who suffered losses from either fire complex are encouraged to contact their local USDA Farm Service Agency office to learn about available disaster assistance programs, including the Emergency Livestock Assistance Program (ELAP) and Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP).