After a summer that rewrote state records and tested firefighting resources to their limits, Oregon’s major wildfire incidents are overwhelmingly approaching full containment as of late September 2026. Thousands of firefighters and support personnel continue mop-up operations across hundreds of thousands of burned acres, while fire managers phase down crew assignments and return resources to home units.

Active Oregon Incidents at a Glance

According to the most recent National Interagency Fire Center situation reports, the following large fires remain active in Oregon as of September 22:

  • Rowe Creek Complex (Prineville BLM District): 373,927 acres, 99% contained — 10 miles south of Fossil. Suppression repair and mop-up underway across multiple associated fires including the Coyote, Parrish, Cherry Creek, and Pilot fires. A Multi-Agency Resource Center event is scheduled for September 26 at Crook County High School to assist impacted residents.
  • Grasshopper Fire (Mt. Hood National Forest): 93,971 acres, 98% contained — 14 miles southwest of Dufur. Forest closures remain in effect on the Cle Elum Ranger District. Managed by Northwest Team 10.
  • Hagen Fire (Umatilla National Forest): 61,379 acres, 91% contained — 26 miles east of Pendleton. Managed by Northwest Team 8 along with the Paradise Fire.
  • Austin Fire (Mt. Hood National Forest): 12,882 acres, 98% contained — 25 miles southeast of Estacada.
  • Paradise Fire (Umatilla National Forest): 9,656 acres, 86% contained — 18 miles east of Milton-Freewater.
  • The Narrows (Mt. Hood National Forest): 305 acres, 98% contained — 15 miles southeast of Estacada.

Rowe Creek Complex: Milestone Progress

The Rowe Creek Complex, which at its peak drove evacuations across large swaths of central Oregon, reached 99% containment on September 21 as crews completed repair work on several associated fires. The Coyote, Parrish, Cherry Creek, and Pilot fires have had repair activities completed, freeing resources to accelerate work on the Henry and Shingle fires still within the complex.

Fire managers noted that warm temperatures with humidity in the upper teens and afternoon wind shifts continued to present some challenge, but the overall situation is firmly in hand. Crook County, the Oregon Department of Forestry, and partner agencies are coordinating a wildfire recovery resource event on September 26 to help residents whose property was impacted.

Fire Restrictions Remain in Place

Despite the improved containment picture, Stage 1 fire restrictions remain in effect for federal lands across central Oregon. Activities such as campfires and warming fires are prohibited except in designated developed campgrounds. Fire managers emphasize that dry conditions can still support fire spread on the landscape, and residents and recreationists should continue to observe all restrictions.

Officials from the Oregon Department of Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service are expected to reassess restriction levels in the coming days as cooler, moister fall weather systems move into the region.