The Grasshopper Fire burning in the Mt. Hood National Forest has grown to more than 34,000 acres and continues to force evacuations across Hood River and Wasco counties, with Level 3 "Go Now" orders in effect for multiple communities as of August 11, 2026. Highway 35 — the primary route linking Hood River to Government Camp — has been closed to traffic, significantly disrupting travel and commerce in the region.

Current Fire Status

As of the latest update, the Grasshopper Fire has burned approximately 34,659 acres with only 19% containment. The fire is burning in steep, rugged terrain within the Mt. Hood Wilderness, where thick timber and limited road access have hampered the use of bulldozers and heavy equipment. Firefighters are primarily working by hand and with aerial support including helicopter bucket drops and fixed-wing retardant aircraft.

Evacuation Orders

The fire has prompted a cascading set of evacuation orders in Clackamas, Hood River, and Wasco counties:

  • Level 3 — Go Now: Mt. Hood Meadows ski resort and surrounding areas; portions of Hood River and Wasco counties east of the fire perimeter
  • Level 1 — Be Ready: Government Camp and Timberline Lodge areas

The Wasco County Fair has been cancelled as a result of fire conditions and ongoing public safety concerns in the region.

Resort and Recreation Impact

Mt. Hood Meadows, one of Oregon's premier ski resorts, is under a mandatory evacuation order and has closed its facilities. Timberline Lodge — a National Historic Landmark and year-round destination — remains under Level 1 advisory, with guests and staff urged to be ready to leave at a moment's notice. A Forest Service closure order is in effect for the fire area, prohibiting public entry into the affected portions of the Mt. Hood National Forest.

Fire Origins and Spread

The Grasshopper Fire is burning west of Friend, Oregon, in the upper Hood River drainage. Its westward spread toward Mount Hood Wilderness has been driven by dry, breezy conditions and critically low fuel moisture levels across the western Cascades. Steep terrain and a mosaic of old-growth and dense second-growth timber have contributed to intense fire behavior.

Residents and visitors with properties in the affected evacuation zones are urged to leave immediately under Level 3 orders. Do not wait for conditions to worsen. Check with Clackamas, Hood River, and Wasco county emergency management offices for the most current evacuation boundaries.