The Grasshopper Fire, which became one of the most destructive wildfires on Oregon's Mt. Hood National Forest in modern history, is nearing full containment after burning 93,971 acres in Wasco County. Crews are conducting final mop-up operations this week as the fire transitions toward closure.

Fire History

The Grasshopper Fire ignited this summer in the Mt. Hood National Forest and expanded rapidly during the extreme fire weather of early August. At its peak, the fire burned more than 86,000 acres, forcing the cancellation of the Wasco County Fair and threatening multiple communities in the Hood River and Wasco County area.

Six homes were destroyed in the fire, and forest closures were issued across a substantial portion of the Mt. Hood National Forest by the U.S. Forest Service. Evacuation warnings and orders affected portions of the county, and air quality in the Columbia River Gorge corridor reached hazardous levels on multiple days.

Current Status

As of this week's InciWeb update, the Grasshopper Fire stands at 93,971 acres with containment estimated between 93 and 97 percent. Fire behavior has been minimal for several weeks, and crews are now focused on:

  • Mop-up of interior hot spots identified by infrared flights
  • Hazard tree assessment and removal along roads and trails
  • Suppression repair work to restore disturbed ground along control lines
  • Preparation for eventual lifting of forest closures

Forest Closures Still in Effect

The Mt. Hood National Forest issued a formal closure order covering the Grasshopper Fire area on September 2, 2026. That closure remains in effect as of this writing. The Forest Service will announce when closures are lifted; hikers, campers, hunters, and other recreational users are asked to respect the closure boundaries, as hazard trees in the burn area present a serious risk of injury or death.

The closure affects popular trails and recreation areas within the fire perimeter. Anyone planning trips to the southern Mt. Hood area should check fs.usda.gov/r06/mthood before heading out.

Ecological Outlook

While devastating in terms of human impact, fire ecologists note that portions of the Grasshopper Fire burned in ways that may benefit the long-term health of the forest. Mosaic burn patterns — where fire burns at varying intensities, leaving patches of unburned and lightly burned vegetation — create diverse habitat structure and can accelerate forest regeneration. However, areas that burned at high severity, particularly on steep south-facing slopes, may face challenges from erosion and invasive species.

The Mt. Hood National Forest is expected to conduct burned area emergency response (BAER) assessments this fall to identify high-priority rehabilitation needs ahead of the winter precipitation season.