Grasshopper Fire Near Maupin Triggers Oregon's 11th Emergency Conflagration Act Invocation of 2026

The Grasshopper Fire in Wasco County has become the latest in a long string of Oregon wildfires to trigger the state's Emergency Conflagration Act, which was invoked for the 11th time this season on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.

What Is the Emergency Conflagration Act?

Oregon's Emergency Conflagration Act empowers the State Fire Marshal to mobilize and deploy Oregon Department of Forestry and other state firefighting resources to assist local fire departments and agencies when a fire has escaped initial attack and poses a threat to structures and populated areas. The act is not invoked lightly — historically, it has been used just a handful of times per year. The fact that it has been invoked 11 times in a single season underscores the extraordinary nature of 2026's fire crisis.

The Grasshopper Fire: Key Details

The Grasshopper Fire broke out in Wasco County, burning in the Maupin area near the Deschutes River canyon and threatening communities including Tygh Valley, Wamic, and Pine Hollow. The fire moved rapidly through steep, brush-covered terrain, driving concern among local emergency managers about its potential to impact populated areas.

By July 26, the Grasshopper Fire had grown to more than 9,500 acres, prompting officials to consider it a major threat. The fire has been burning in the Mt. Hood National Forest area, where a combination of dry fuels and complex terrain has challenged containment efforts.

FEMA Funding Approved

Ahead of the Conflagration Act invocation, President Biden had already authorized FEMA to issue a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) for the Grasshopper Fire on July 25, after it was determined the fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. This was the third FMAG declaration in 2026 to assist Oregon wildfire response.

FMAG funding helps offset the costs of suppression efforts, including personnel, equipment, and aerial resources deployed to fight the blaze.

Evacuations and Road Impacts

The Grasshopper Fire has resulted in evacuation orders for communities in the Maupin area. Highway 26 between Mt. Hood and Madras was temporarily closed due to fire activity but has since been reopened. Residents of the affected areas should continue to monitor local emergency management channels for updated zone information.

Broader Context

The Grasshopper Fire is just one of many fires stretching Oregon's firefighting capacity this season. With 30 large fires burning simultaneously across the state, resources must be carefully prioritized. The repeated invocations of the Conflagration Act reflect the difficulty of keeping pace with a fire season that has surpassed nearly every historical benchmark.