The end of Oregon's catastrophic 2026 fire season is coming into clearer view this week, as the state's largest complex of fires wraps up suppression operations and several other major incidents approach full containment. After months of intense firefighting, the focus across most of Oregon is shifting to repair work, hazard mitigation, and community recovery.

Rowe Creek Complex: Largest Fire Near Full Containment

The Rowe Creek Complex, located about 10 miles south of Fossil in Wheeler and Gilliam counties, has reached 99% containment at 373,927 acres — making it one of the largest single fire complexes in Oregon history. Management of the fires transferred back to the BLM Prineville District, Ochoco National Forest, ODF Central Oregon District, and the U.S. Wildland Fire Service on September 22, allowing the Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 1 to stand down after weeks of operations.

Over the course of their assignment, ODF CIMT 1 directed repair activities across nearly 500,000 acres burned by wildfires within the Rowe Creek Complex, Shingle, Coyote, and Henry fires. Repair work has focused on mending fences damaged by suppression activities, smoothing dirt berms, installing drainage structures for erosion control, and restoring areas near water crossings to reduce sediment delivery to streams.

The fire area is now open to public travel, though the Oregon Department of Forestry advises hunters and recreationists to use caution and watch for unstable trees, loose rocks, logs, and debris in roadways.

Mt. Hood National Forest Fires Near Closure

Three fires burning on or near the Mt. Hood National Forest are within reach of full containment:

  • Grasshopper Fire: 93,971 acres, 98% contained — located 14 miles southwest of Dufur
  • Austin Fire: 12,884 acres, 98% contained — located 25 miles southeast of Estacada
  • The Narrows: 305 acres, 98% contained — 15 miles southeast of Estacada

Forest closures including Bagby Hot Springs, Lake Harriet, Timothy Lake, and campgrounds along the Clackamas River remain active for these incidents. Crews are continuing mop-up, hazard tree felling, and final line patrol before full containment declarations.

Umatilla National Forest Fires Winding Down

In northeastern Oregon, two Umatilla National Forest fires managed from the same incident command are making strong progress:

  • Hagen Fire: 61,380 acres, 97% contained — located 26 miles east of Pendleton
  • Paradise Fire: 9,656 acres, 86% contained — located 18 miles east of Milton-Freewater

Community Recovery Resources Available

Crook County, in partnership with the Oregon Department of Forestry and other local, state, and federal agencies, is hosting a Wildfire Recovery Multi-Agency Resource Center today — Saturday, September 26 — from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Crook County High School Gymnasium. The event provides information, resources, and assistance to residents impacted by recent wildfires.

Stage 1 fire restrictions remain in effect for federal lands across central Oregon, prohibiting campfires and warming fires except within designated developed campgrounds. Conditions continue to be dry enough to support fire on the landscape, and the public is urged to follow all current fire restrictions on federal and private lands.