The Big Grass Fire — the largest wildfire in Oregon's modern recorded history — has reached 93% containment after burning 578,637 acres across Malheur County, Oregon and Owyhee County, Idaho, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Firefighters with the Vale District BLM are continuing mop-up operations and working to secure the remaining perimeter.

The lightning-caused fire ignited on July 23, 2026, and rapidly escalated into a historic event, eventually surpassing previous state records and becoming one of the largest fires ever recorded in the Northwest. At its peak, crews were constructing an average of 32 miles of new containment line per day across extraordinarily remote, wind-swept rangelands.

A Season-Defining Blaze

The Big Grass Fire spread with stunning speed through drought-stressed grasslands and sagebrush, driven by strong winds and record heat. In early August, the fire was running 20 or more miles in a single weather event, threatening communities along US Route 95 near Weiser, Idaho. Thousands of residents were under evacuation orders at the fire's peak, and massive smoke columns were visible hundreds of miles away.

At its maximum extent, the fire burned through critical habitat, grazing allotments, and agricultural land across one of the most economically vulnerable landscapes in the rural West. Livestock losses were significant; hay fields and fencing across wide swaths of Malheur and Owyhee counties were consumed.

Progress and Remaining Challenges

By August 20, fire officials reported 85% containment and approximately 579,006 acres burned. Subsequent cool, calm conditions allowed crews to press aggressively on the remaining open lines. As of the August 23 NIFC report, containment stands at 93%.

Despite the progress, incident commanders caution that embers continue to jump containment lines in localized areas, and the fire is not yet considered controlled. Dry and windy conditions forecast for this week could complicate final containment efforts.

Recovery Ahead

With containment approaching, attention is beginning to shift toward recovery. Burned area emergency response (BAER) teams are assessing erosion and watershed damage risks across the vast fire footprint. Federal, state, and local agencies are coordinating assistance programs for ranchers and landowners who suffered losses.

The Big Grass Fire will be studied for years as a case study in extreme fire behavior, remote area suppression, and the growing challenge of protecting working lands in the arid West during an era of persistent drought.

For more information, visit the InciWeb page for the Big Grass Fire or contact the Vale District BLM at 208-295-5503.