Evacuation Orders Persist Across Multiple Oregon Fire Zones; Some Levels Being Reduced

Hundreds of Oregonians remain under evacuation orders or warnings as of this weekend, though improving containment on several fires has allowed emergency managers to scale back evacuation levels in some communities. Here is the latest status by incident.

Grasshopper Fire — Wasco County

Approximately 1,000 people remain under some level of evacuation order associated with the Grasshopper Fire burning on and near the Mount Hood National Forest. While the fire has reached 91% containment and has burned nearly 94,000 acres, the Wasco County Sheriff has maintained evacuation orders in areas where fire crews are still working active perimeter. Some evacuation levels were reduced this week as containment improved, allowing some residents to return home.

Portions of the Mount Hood National Forest that were previously closed due to the Grasshopper Fire have reopened for public access, including the Timberline Trail, Tamanawas Trail, and Rock Creek Campground. Visitors are urged to remain fire-aware, avoid campfires, and observe all posted closure signs.

Austin Fire — Wasco County

Level 3 Go Now evacuation orders remain in place for some community members near the Austin Fire, which has burned more than 12,500 acres and is only 21% contained. The Austin Fire continues to be the most active large fire in the Mount Hood National Forest and poses the most significant ongoing threat to nearby residents. People in affected areas should remain prepared to leave immediately if conditions deteriorate.

McCully Fire — Baker County

The McCully Fire in Baker County has seen significant improvements in evacuation status over the past week. The Baker County Sheriff canceled evacuation notices for several communities, including Sumpter and Granite, which had been at Level 1 (Be Ready), after crews gained the upper hand and fire behavior shifted to smoldering and minimal spread.

Approximately 100 people remain under active evacuation orders in other areas of the McCully Fire zone, according to the Oregon Department of Emergency Management and Baker County Sheriff. Containment on the McCully Fire reached 25% as crews shifted focus to mop-up operations, though officials warn that a return to warm, dry weather could revive fire activity.

Hagen Fire — Umatilla National Forest

Evacuation levels around the Hagen Fire in the Umatilla National Forest have also been reduced in recent days, with some communities previously at Level 2 (Be Set) being stepped down to Level 1 as fire crews strengthened containment lines.

Evacuation Level Definitions

Oregon uses a three-level evacuation system:

Level 1 — Be Ready: Be aware of the danger and ready to leave on short notice. Monitor emergency communications.
Level 2 — Be Set: Be prepared to leave at a moment notice. Gather essential belongings and be ready to evacuate immediately.
Level 3 — Go Now: Leave immediately. Do not delay to gather belongings.