Firefighting crews are making measurable progress on the two largest active fires in northeast Oregon, but full containment of the Hagen and Paradise fires on the Umatilla National Forest remains days away as crews continue tactical operations in difficult mixed-conifer and shrubland terrain.
Hagen Fire: Steady Progress
The Hagen Fire has burned 61,396 acres as of the September 6 update and is now 56 percent contained. More than 850 personnel are assigned to the incident, and crews have continued to build and improve containment lines along the fire’s perimeter. Incident commanders reported using tactical firing operations — controlled burns set to consume fuel and bring the fire’s edge to established control lines — to accelerate containment.
The Hagen Fire first ignited in late July and grew rapidly during a late-summer heat event, burning through timber and grass in the Blue Mountains of northeast Oregon. At its most aggressive, it consumed thousands of acres per day. The recent moderation in weather has given crews the window they needed to make sustained progress.
Questions about smoke and air quality impacts from the Hagen Fire can be directed to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s AirNow monitoring system. Fire information is available at inciweb.wildfire.gov or by calling the incident information line: 541-970-7128.
Paradise Fire: Slower Going
The Paradise Fire, burning in proximity to the Hagen Fire on the Umatilla National Forest, reached 9,639 acres with 22 percent containment as of the September 3 update. Approximately 373 to 438 personnel are assigned to the Paradise incident depending on operational periods. Progress has been slower than on the Hagen Fire due to the terrain and heavier timber fuels involved.
The Paradise Fire is being managed jointly with the Hagen incident under a unified command structure, a common approach when two fires threaten to merge or share operational areas. Fire managers email updates to 2026paradise@firenet.gov and post daily updates on InciWeb and the Umatilla National Forest’s Facebook page.
Smoke Drifting West
Both fires have contributed to persistent smoke problems across a wide swath of the Pacific Northwest. The Washington Smoke Blog noted that smoke from the Hagen and Paradise fires in northeast Oregon has been transported westward, degrading air quality as far as Clark and Skamania counties in southwest Washington. Sensitive groups — including children, the elderly, and people with asthma or other respiratory conditions — are advised to limit outdoor exertion on days when air quality index values exceed 100 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups).
Regional Context
The Hagen and Paradise fires are among nine large fires currently active in Oregon, which also include the Austin and Mitchell fires in Clackamas County and the SnoPark Fire west of Bend (for which Deschutes County Sheriff recently lifted evacuation notices). Oregon’s fire season this year has been described by the Oregon Department of Forestry as among the most intense in the state’s recorded history, with 414 fires burning approximately 8,077 acres prompting Governor Tina Kotek to declare a State of Emergency in June — a declaration that remained in effect through the peak summer months.
Residents near the Umatilla National Forest should continue to monitor official fire information pages and sign up for Umatilla County emergency alerts for the most current evacuation and road closure information.