Highway 204 Reopens as Oregon Fires See Mixed Progress; Paradise and Austin Fires Remain Uncontained

Oregon firefighters are reporting mixed results across the state's sprawling wildfire front heading into the final weekend of August. While containment has increased on several major fires and at least one key highway has reopened, two fires — the Paradise Fire near Milton-Freewater and the Austin Fire in Clackamas County — remain at 0% containment and continue to threaten communities and critical infrastructure.

Hagen Fire: Highway Reopens, Containment Climbs

In a significant milestone for northeast Oregon, Highway 204 through the small mountain community of Tollgate — linking Elgin to Weston across the Blue Mountains in Umatilla County — has reopened following a lengthy closure caused by the Hagen Fire. The highway serves as a critical route for local agriculture, timber operations, and recreation traffic through the Umatilla National Forest.

The Hagen Fire has burned approximately 57,000 acres in Umatilla and Union counties and was 19% contained as of August 20. While containment remains low, fire managers have achieved enough progress on the highway corridor to allow traffic to resume under a managed plan. Motorists traveling the route are advised to remain alert for firefighting equipment, smoke obscuring visibility, and potential road closures on short notice if conditions change.

Grasshopper Fire: Partial Progress Near Mount Hood

The Grasshopper Fire, impacting Wasco, Hood River, and Clackamas counties in the Mount Hood area, has burned more than 90,000 acres and reached 66% containment — a meaningful improvement that has allowed emergency managers to reduce some evacuation levels. Level 1 "Be Ready" evacuations have been lifted for the Mount Hood corridor from Rhododendron through Government Camp and surrounding areas of the Mount Hood National Forest.

However, Level 3 "Go Now" orders remain in effect in Wasco and Hood River counties, including the Badger Creek Wilderness and areas east to the White River Wildlife Area. Fire officials say evacuations near active fire lines must remain in place to protect both public safety and the ability of crews to maneuver and fight fire without the additional hazard of civilian traffic in the operational area.

Austin Fire: Zero Containment in Difficult Terrain

The Austin Fire in Clackamas County, burning approximately 25 miles southeast of Estacada, has burned about 3,000 acres and remains at 0% containment. The fire is burning in rugged, steep terrain along the Clackamas River drainage, severely limiting options for direct suppression attack. Crews continue to build containment lines by connecting open meadows with old logging roads in an effort to gradually encircle the fire's perimeter.

Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation orders remain in place along Clackamas River Road. Residents who have evacuated should not attempt to return to their properties until officials formally lift orders — even if the fire appears distant or smoke has reduced.

Paradise Fire: Zero Containment, Volatile Conditions

The Paradise Fire, burning along the Oregon-Washington border in the Mill Creek Watershed near Milton-Freewater, remains at 0% containment after burning approximately 5,000 acres. Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation orders along Mill Creek Road remain in place, with the Umatilla County Sheriff's Office maintaining active enforcement of the evacuation zone.

The fire's location along the border of Oregon and Washington has required close coordination between Umatilla County, Walla Walla County, and state and federal agencies on both sides of the line.

Statewide Outlook

Oregon's 2026 wildfire season has produced nearly 1,600 individual fires burning approximately 2.4 million acres — a total that represents one of the most active seasons in Oregon Department of Forestry records. Containment is rising across many of the larger fires, but fire managers caution that the season is not over: the combination of this weekend's incoming weather front, persistent drought conditions, and abundant dry fuels means significant fire starts remain possible through mid-September.