Firefighters have reached 23 percent containment on the lightning-caused Grasshopper Fire, which has now burned 63,659 acres. As the incident expands in complexity, the Oregon State Fire Marshal Blue Incident Management Team is arriving to oversee operations alongside the 1,656 personnel currently assigned to the blaze.
Crews spent Sunday reinforcing the fire's perimeter while battling steady growth.
- Northern Edge: Firefighters successfully slowed the fire’s progress in the Fivemile Creek and Fifteenmile Creek areas. Today’s priority is to keep the fire south of Dufur Valley Road (Forest Road 44) and west of High Prairie.
- Southwest: Crews have moved into the Bennett Creek area for direct suppression. They are also preparing Forest Road 4813, Wamic Road (Forest Road 48), and Forest Road 4911 to act as backup containment lines.
- Highway 35 Corridor: Containment lines along the highway remain secure, and crews continue to monitor this critical route.
- Initial Attack Assistance: Resources assigned to the Grasshopper Fire also provided help putting out three smaller fires nearby: the Narrows, Mitchell, and Austin fires on the Mt. Hood National Forest.
The Oregon State Fire Marshal continues to support the incident with three task forces from Clatsop, Line, and Yamhill counties.
While higher humidity this morning is helping to moderate fire behavior, fire officials warn that warmer, drier, and windier conditions will return this afternoon. Winds from the northwest could gust up to 20 mph, pushing smoke toward communities to the east and southeast. Monitor real-time air quality at fire.airnow.gov.
A community meeting will be held Tuesday, August 11, at 6:00 p.m. at the Dufur School (802 NE 5th Street, Dufur).
Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation orders remain in effect for parts of Hood River and Wasco counties, while Clackamas County is under Level 1 "Ready" status.
Significant closures are in place for traveler safety:
- Highway 35: Closed between Bennett Pass Snow Park and Baseline Road.
- Forest Road 44: Closed south of Forest Road 17, with a detour available via Brooks Meadow.
- Mt. Hood National Forest: Large area closures remain in effect.
- Shelter: The human shelter in Maupin has closed; however, the Sherman County Fairgrounds in Moro (66147 Lone Rock Road) continues to serve as a large animal shelter.
For evacuation information check perimetermap.com and TripCheck.com for road updates. A Temporary Flight Restriction is also in effect; the use of unauthorized drones will immediately ground all firefighting aircraft.