Three major wildfires burning in and around the Mt. Hood and Umatilla National Forests in Oregon continue to demand significant firefighting resources, though some progress has been made heading into the week of August 24, 2026.
Hagen Fire: 59,559 Acres, 19% Contained
The Hagen Fire, burning approximately 26 miles east of Pendleton in the Umatilla National Forest, remains one of Oregon's most active and challenging fires. As of August 23, the fire stands at 59,559 acres with just 19% containment. A total of 1,134 personnel are assigned to the Hagen Fire as crews work to establish and hold containment lines on the fire's perimeter.
The fire has crossed the North Fork Umatilla River in previous runs, triggering elevated evacuation levels in Umatilla County and resulting in the closure of Highway 204 at various points during the fire's growth. Homes and other infrastructure continue to be threatened along the fire's eastern and northern flanks.
For more information, contact the Hagen Fire information line at 541-970-7128.
Paradise Fire: 7,700 Acres, 0% Contained
The Paradise Fire, burning 15 miles south of Pendleton along the Oregon-Washington border, has grown to 7,700 acres with zero containment as of August 23. An additional 384 personnel are assigned to this incident. Incident management teams have been using tactical firing operations — burning unburned fuels between the advancing fire and containment lines — to strengthen the perimeter and limit the fire's options.
The Umatilla County Sheriff's Office has previously issued Level 3 "Go Now" evacuations for the Mill Creek Watershed area due to this fire. Residents should check the Umatilla County emergency notification system for current evacuation status.
For updates, contact the Paradise Fire information line at 509-524-2900.
Grasshopper Fire: 93,562 Acres, 76% Contained — Improving
The Grasshopper Fire on the Mt. Hood National Forest, which burned north of Sportsman's Park and impacted Wasco, Hood River, and Clackamas counties, has made notable progress. As of August 23, the fire stands at 93,562 acres with 76% containment — up from earlier in the week.
Evacuation levels for the Grasshopper Fire have been lowered in multiple areas in recent days as containment improved. Six homes were destroyed earlier in the fire's run. Crews continue working the remaining open sections of the perimeter, particularly on the fire's western edge where terrain is steep and access is difficult.
The Austin Fire, also burning on the Mt. Hood National Forest about 25 miles southeast of Estacada, has grown to 4,808 acres with zero containment, and the Narrows Fire nearby stands at 212 acres with no containment. Both are being monitored closely.
For the Grasshopper and Austin fires, contact the Mt. Hood National Forest information line at 541-982-5802.
Overall Picture
Despite the challenges, the overall trajectory of Oregon's larger fires is slowly improving. Several fires that commanded significant resources through July and early August — including the Rowe Creek Complex (373,981 acres, 91% contained) and the Second Flat Fire (105,854 acres, 96% contained) — are approaching full containment. That should allow incident management teams to redeploy resources to the more active fires as the season winds toward September.