The Grasshopper Fire burning on the east side of Mount Hood in Oregon has grown to 39,439 acres and remains Oregon's highest-priority wildfire. As of August 5, the fire is only 20% contained, with steep, rugged terrain hampering ground-based suppression efforts and forcing firefighters to rely heavily on hand crews and aerial resources.
Fire Location and Threat
The Grasshopper Fire burns west of Friend, Oregon, in the Hood River and Wasco County area. It has pushed into the Mount Hood Wilderness and is threatening the recreational and residential communities on the east side of the mountain — including the Mt. Hood Meadows ski resort area, portions of Highway 35, and Timberline Lodge approaches.
The fire is the closest large active wildfire to Portland, and smoke from it has been a major driver of the hazardous air quality that has blanketed the Portland metro area this week.
Evacuations and Closures
Level 3 (Go Now) evacuation orders remain in place across portions of Hood and Wasco counties. Mt. Hood Meadows resort was placed under evacuation orders, and a sweeping public lands closure was issued by the Mt. Hood National Forest covering the east side of the mountain — effective as of August 4. Wildland firefighters are mostly working by hand and with air support, as bulldozers and heavy equipment cannot access the steep, rocky terrain where much of the fire is burning.
Clackamas County Preparation Orders
Eastern Clackamas County residents have been placed on evacuation preparation orders, meaning residents should be ready to leave on short notice. This zone extends the evacuation footprint significantly toward the Portland metropolitan fringe.
Firefighting Conditions
Air attack resources — including air tankers dropping fire retardant and helicopters performing water drops — have been critical to slowing the fire's spread. However, thick smoke and wind shifts have periodically grounded aviation assets, allowing the fire to advance. Firefighters on the ground are constructing and reinforcing hand lines in areas accessible on foot.
The Grasshopper Fire is expected to remain active and potentially grow further in the coming days given forecast temperatures above 100°F and continued low relative humidity. Residents in affected counties should not return to evacuation areas until orders are officially lifted by county emergency management.