Evacuation orders and warnings remain in force across a swath of Oregon and Washington counties as multiple active fires continue to burn. While some relief has arrived — most notably the full lifting of Sinlahekin Fire evacuation orders in Washington's Okanogan County on September 12 — thousands of residents in the Pacific Northwest remain under mandatory evacuation or warning status as of Tuesday morning.

Oregon Evacuation Orders: Fourteen Counties Affected

Active evacuation orders remain in place across a broad stretch of Oregon's central and eastern counties. Healthcare Ready, which tracks displacement events related to natural disasters, confirms evacuation orders are currently in effect in the following Oregon counties:

  • Baker County
  • Clackamas County
  • Crook County
  • Deschutes County
  • Gilliam County
  • Grant County
  • Harney County
  • Hood River County
  • Jefferson County
  • Sherman County
  • Umatilla County
  • Union County
  • Wasco County
  • Wheeler County

Evacuation orders also remain in effect for portions of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs reservation. The Austin Fire burning southeast of Estacada on the Mt. Hood National Forest is driving some Clackamas and Hood River county evacuations, while the Paradise and Hagen fires are responsible for orders in Umatilla and Union counties.

Washington: Lake Chelan Area Still Under Orders

In Washington state, evacuation levels 1 through 3 remain in effect around the Lake Chelan corridor due to the ongoing Little Giant Fire, which has burned 172,695 acres in Chelan and Okanogan counties. Additional evacuation orders and warnings are in place near Tonasket, Inchelium, and portions of the Spokane metro area.

Level 1 (Be Ready) means residents should prepare to evacuate at a moment's notice. Level 2 (Be Set) means evacuation is recommended and imminent danger is possible. Level 3 (Go Now) is a mandatory evacuation order requiring immediate departure. Residents in any Level 3 zone who have not yet evacuated are urged to do so immediately.

Sinlahekin Good News: All Orders Lifted

In a positive development for Okanogan County, all evacuation orders and advisories associated with the Sinlahekin Fire were officially lifted by county officials on September 12. The fire, which burned 166,026 acres and forced evacuations of hundreds of households at its peak, has transitioned to a mop-up and monitoring phase.

Residents returning to properties in the Sinlahekin area are cautioned to be alert for:

  • Fire-weakened trees and snags that may fall without warning
  • Interior stump holes that can hold heat for weeks
  • Unstable stream banks and hillslopes prone to erosion
  • Damaged structures with compromised structural integrity
  • Ongoing smoke from interior smoldering

Resources for Evacuees

Oregon residents under evacuation orders can find shelter and resource information through:

  • Oregon Office of Emergency Management: oregon.gov/oem
  • Oregon 211: dial 2-1-1 or text your ZIP code to 898-211
  • Local Red Cross shelters — check redcross.org for locations

Washington residents can access evacuation resources through:

  • Washington Emergency Management Division: mil.wa.gov/emergency-management-division
  • Washington 211: dial 2-1-1
  • Chelan County Emergency Management: co.chelan.wa.us

All residents in fire-prone areas — whether currently under orders or not — are urged to maintain emergency go-bags and keep vehicles fueled. Conditions can change rapidly during September wind events, and evacuation orders can be issued with little warning.