Oregon is closing out what has already become the worst wildfire season in the state's recorded history, with more than 2.3 million acres burned and eight large fires still uncontained as of September 15. The 2026 season has surpassed the previous record of 2,081,661 acres set just two years ago in 2024, driven by an unprecedented combination of early heat, multi-week drought, and high winds that pushed fires to sizes rarely seen in the Pacific Northwest.

Big Grass Fire: Oregon's Largest Wildfire on Record

The Big Grass Fire in Malheur County stands as Oregon's largest wildfire in modern history, having burned 578,637 acres of short-grass rangeland approximately 25 miles southwest of Jordan Valley. Started by an unknown ignition on July 23, the fire exploded across the high desert landscape through August before reaching 94 percent containment as of September 11.

The BLM's Bruneau and Owyhee Field Offices have amended and extended the temporary public land closure within the fire perimeter, keeping burned areas closed to prevent public safety hazards from unstable terrain and falling debris. Suppression repair and burned area stabilization work continues across the vast landscape.

At its peak, the Big Grass Fire surpassed the Rowe Creek Complex to claim the top spot among Oregon's largest fires ever recorded — a distinction that underscores the severity of the 2026 season in eastern Oregon's rangeland ecosystems.

Rowe Creek Complex: Near Full Containment

The Rowe Creek Complex, burning in Wheeler County approximately 10 miles south of Fossil, reached 99 percent containment following widespread rain that arrived in early September. The complex, managed by the BLM Prineville District, has burned 373,927 acres of tall grass, timber, and brush since its lightning-caused ignition on July 15.

Suppression repair is the primary focus of the remaining 628 personnel assigned to the complex. Crews are working across a massive landscape to restore roads, rehabilitate suppression lines, and address remaining interior heat. No threats to the perimeter have been reported in recent days.

Grasshopper, Hagen, and Other Active Oregon Fires

Additional large fires continue burning across Oregon's national forests and range lands:

  • Grasshopper Fire: 93,982 acres, 97% contained — Mt. Hood National Forest, 14 miles southwest of Dufur
  • Hagen Fire: 61,381 acres, 82% contained — Umatilla National Forest, 26 miles east of Pendleton
  • Shingle Fire: 73,183 acres — southern Oregon
  • Henry Fire: 29,844 acres — southern Oregon
  • Coyote Fire: 17,460 acres — southern Oregon
  • McCully Fire: 13,604 acres, 81% contained — Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, 22 miles northwest of Baker City
  • Austin Fire: 12,887 acres, 60% contained — Mt. Hood National Forest, 25 miles southeast of Estacada
  • Paradise Fire: 9,656 acres, 49% contained — Umatilla National Forest, 18 miles east of Milton-Freewater

The Paradise Fire, still under 50 percent containment, remains the most active concern in northeastern Oregon. Crews on the Umatilla National Forest are working to construct containment lines in steep, brushy terrain while managing spotting potential from the fire's active interior.

Statewide Toll and What's Ahead

The Northwest Interagency Coordination Center (NWCC) confirmed that Oregon's 2026 season has burned more than 2,336,000 acres — a figure that represents an extraordinary departure from historical norms. State and federal agencies have pre-positioned additional resources for any new ignitions that may develop if September brings continued dry weather before the typical late-fall rains arrive.

Oregon ODF and USFS Region 6 urge all residents in and near active fire areas to stay informed through InciWeb, local emergency management notifications, and official agency social media channels.