Eastern Oregon is seeing elevated wildfire activity this week, with four large fires actively burning across the state as of July 10. The fires are spread from the Pendleton area in the north to the Frenchglen region in the south, straining both state and federal firefighting resources.

Anthony Fire — Wallowa-Whitman National Forest (NEW)

The Anthony Fire ignited on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest and is burning approximately 34 miles north of Baker City in Union County. As of July 10, it has burned 450 acres with zero containment. The fire is managed by the U.S. Forest Service and is listed as a new large incident. Crews are working initial attack in what officials describe as active timber terrain. For information, contact the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest at 970-200-9392.

Salmon Fire — Umatilla National Forest

The Salmon Fire is burning on the Umatilla National Forest approximately 34 miles southwest of Baker City. The fire has consumed 1,000 acres and has zero containment. According to the NIFC Incident Management Situation Report, the fire is experiencing active behavior including backing, flanking, and torching in timber and timber litter fuels. A Type 3 Northwest team is assigned to the incident. The fire is being closely watched given the complex terrain and proximity to other Wallowa-Whitman incidents. Contact: 541-414-6272.

North Cayuse Fire — Umatilla County

The North Cayuse Fire, managed by the Oregon Department of Forestry Pendleton Unit, is burning 15 miles east of Pendleton and has grown to 4,887 acres at 15 percent containment. The fire has driven smoke impacts across central and eastern Oregon, with air quality advisories issued for portions of the Columbia Basin. The blaze is burning in grass and brush terrain under critical fire weather conditions. Contact: 509-509-6869.

Hoop Fire — Burns District BLM

In southeastern Oregon's Harney County, the Hoop Fire is burning 14 miles southeast of Frenchglen on BLM Burns District lands. At 960 acres and 15 percent contained, the remote fire is burning in sagebrush-steppe terrain. While it does not currently threaten populated areas, its location in high desert fuels warrants monitoring, particularly given forecast winds this weekend.

Coyner Fire — Deschutes County

The Coyner Fire, which briefly prompted evacuations near Redmond earlier this week, is now largely under control. Central Oregon Fire Information reports that crews continue mopping up the interior, with smoke still visible within the perimeter as firefighters extinguish hotspots. All evacuation orders from the Coyner Fire have been lifted. Smoke from the fire may still impact local air quality in Central Oregon through the weekend.

Statewide Context

Oregon declared a statewide state of emergency for wildfire in mid-June, with 19 of Oregon's 36 counties now under drought emergency status. Oregon Department of Forestry officials have said the lack of a meaningful snowpack this winter — tied for the warmest on record — has left fuels exposed and critically dry for months. Hundreds of firefighters have been training across the state in recent weeks in preparation for what officials are calling a potentially very busy fire season.