Evacuation Roundup: Spokane-Area Orders Wind Down While Owyhee County Lifts Final Level 3 Notices

After weeks of evacuation orders affecting tens of thousands of Pacific Northwest residents, conditions are improving across most fire-affected areas. A wave of major evacuations tied to the 2026 fire season's most destructive incidents is winding down, even as a handful of Level 1 alerts remain active in parts of Oregon and Washington.

Spokane Area: 64,000 Residents Returning Home

The most dramatic evacuation story of the 2026 season unfolded near Spokane, Washington, where a series of fires ignited around September 1 during a historically extreme Red Flag event. At the peak of the emergency, approximately 64,000 Spokane-area residents were under evacuation orders — one of the largest urban-adjacent wildfire evacuations in Washington state history.

Three fires drove the bulk of those evacuations:

Autumn Lane Fire: 5,764 acres — evacuation orders largely lifted as fire reaches 97% containment
Old Trails Fire: 3,176 acres — orders lifted, 97% contained
Fairview Fire: 992 acres — orders lifted, 97% contained

Together, these fires destroyed more than 840 structures in and around Spokane, making the late-August event the costliest wildfire disaster in the city's history. County emergency managers have been working with state agencies to help displaced residents navigate insurance claims, debris removal permits, and temporary housing assistance.

Owyhee County, Idaho: Level 3 Orders Lifted

Owyhee County, Idaho saw Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation orders remain in effect for weeks as the Big Grass Fire — ultimately the largest wildfire in Oregon state history at 578,637 acres — burned through vast stretches of high desert rangeland along the Idaho-Oregon border. With the fire now at 93 percent containment, county emergency managers have been lifting or downgrading evacuation orders for affected rural areas.

The Level 3 orders primarily affected ranching families and rural residents in the remote Owyhee desert. Returning residents are advised to check road conditions before re-entering the area, as fire operations — including heavy equipment and water tenders — may still be moving on area roads during mop-up. Some roads through the burn area may remain closed to general public traffic.

Central Oregon: SnoPark Fire Evacuations Lifted

Closer to Bend, the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office lifted all evacuation notices for the SnoPark Fire, located west of Bend on Skyliners Road. The Central Oregon Fire Information team confirmed the lifting of orders after crews successfully contained the fire's spread toward residential areas. The SnoPark Fire's location near the Bend urban interface had raised concerns early in its development.

Clackamas County: Level 1 Alert Remains for Austin and Mitchell Fires

A Level 1 "Be Ready" evacuation alert issued by the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office in early August remains active for areas near the Austin and Mitchell fires on the Mt. Hood National Forest. Level 1 means residents should be ready to leave if the situation changes — not that they need to leave immediately.

The alert was issued August 9 in coordination with the U.S. Forest Service as the two fires were actively burning in the area. Residents under Level 1 alerts are advised to:

Prepare a go-bag with essential documents, medications, and supplies for 72 hours
Know your evacuation route and communicate it to family members
Sign up for ClackCo Alerts at clackamas.us for real-time notifications
Have a plan for pets and livestock

Oregon's Three-Level Evacuation System

Oregon uses a standardized three-level evacuation notification system to communicate threat levels to residents:

Level 1 — Be Ready: Be aware and prepared. A fire is in the area. Have your go-bag packed.
Level 2 — Be Set: Be ready to leave at a moment's notice. You may need to leave quickly.
Level 3 — Go Now: Leave immediately. This is a life-safety order.