The Hagen Fire burning in the Blue Mountains of northeastern Oregon continues to challenge fire managers and threaten communities this week, after crossing the North Fork Umatilla River and triggering expanded evacuation orders in Umatilla County. Highway 204 between Weston and Elgin remains closed, and a 20-percent chance of thunderstorms in the coming days raises the specter of erratic fire behavior and potentially dangerous outflow winds.

Fire Status and Behavior

The Hagen Fire has burned approximately 40,391 acres and is burning about four miles southwest of Tollgate, Oregon. Containment remains limited, with crews working to hold existing lines rather than advance on the fire's perimeter. Steep terrain throughout the fire area creates significant rollout hazard, which fire managers say elevates rates of spread when slope and wind align.

According to the most recent InciWeb behavioral forecast, active surface spread is expected to continue, with potential for single and group tree torching. Moderately unstable air aloft will keep fire activity elevated during daylight hours, particularly if smoke does not settle over the fire area to suppress behavior.

"If smoke settles in the area, fire activity will be suppressed," fire managers stated in a recent update. "However, a 20-percent thunderstorm probability, unstable conditions, afternoon winds gusting near 18 mph, and potential outflow winds exceeding 40 mph could rapidly change fire direction, intensity, and evacuation conditions."

Evacuations and Highway Closure

The Umatilla County Sheriff's Office has issued evacuation orders covering multiple zones east of Highway 204 in the Tollgate area. The Level 3 (GO NOW) evacuation area includes from Highway 204 east of McDougall Road to the Union County Line, and east of Lincton Mountain Road through Spout Springs into Union County.

Highway 204 between Weston and Elgin (milepost 0 to 39) is closed due to the fire. Motorists should check ODOT's TripCheck system for the latest road conditions and alternate routes. Residents in all evacuation zones are urged to leave immediately and not wait for conditions to worsen before departing.

Umatilla National Forest Closures

The Umatilla National Forest has closures in place around the Hagen Fire perimeter. Recreational users, hunters, and forest workers should check the forest's website and InciWeb for the most current closure boundaries before entering the area. The Horse Ridge Fire on the same forest received its final update on August 7, with crews transitioning to patrol status.

What to Watch

The 72-hour forecast calls for gradually lightening winds — dropping from afternoon gusts near 18 mph to sustained winds around 8 mph with overnight relative humidity recovering into the 60s. That humidity recovery should shorten the daily burn period and aid containment efforts. However, the persistent thunderstorm threat means conditions can change rapidly, and all current evacuation orders remain in effect. Residents in the area should maintain emergency go-kits and monitor alerts from the Umatilla County Emergency Management office.