Firefighters increased containment on the Grasshopper Fire to 30 percent Saturday morning as crews worked to strengthen control lines ahead of expected critical fire weather next week.
Grasshopper Fire Map from August 15, 2026.
The lightning-caused blaze remains at 86,974 acres with 1,719 personnel currently assigned to the incident. While an infrared flight could not be conducted overnight to update the exact acreage, fire managers reported significant progress along the Highway 35 corridor where additional containment was established.
The Oregon State Fire Marshal structural task forces are patrolling and performing mop-up operations throughout the Friend Road and Fifteenmile Creek Road areas while maintaining a steady presence around homes in Sportsman’s Paradise, Logging Gulch, and Camp Baldwin. Near Shadybrook Road, Oregon State Fire Marshal resources are coordinating with National Guard hand crews on extensive line construction to reinforce the broader suppression strategy for nearby structures.
Operationally, the fire remained active overnight on the southeastern perimeter. Crews were unable to complete a planned tactical firing operation near Shadybrook due to slow, methodical requirements and changing conditions, though they intend to resume that work as conditions allow. On the fire's southwest corner, heavy equipment is being prepared for high-angle operations to address heavy fuels in steep, difficult-to-access terrain.
While wetting rains fell overnight along the northern edge and Highway 35 corridor, fire officials warned that moisture did not significantly penetrate heavier fuels. Larger fuels remain dry beneath the surface and can support renewed activity once warm, dry, and windy conditions return. Weather forecasts indicate a potential for thunderstorms today with erratic wind shifts, followed by potentially critical fire weather on Monday and Tuesday.
Drivers are asked to use extreme caution along Highway 35 due to ongoing hazard tree mitigation and heavy equipment operations in the roadway. A Temporary Flight Restriction is in effect over the fire area; the use of unauthorized drones will immediately ground all firefighting aircraft.
Relevant Links and Resources:
- Evacuation Maps (Wasco and Hood River): perimetermap.com
- Evacuation Maps (Clackamas): clackamas.us/clackcoalerts
- Road Conditions: tripcheck.com
- Real-time Air Quality: fire.airnow.gov
- Smoke Outlook: outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/50aab846
- National Forest Closures: Mt. Hood National Forest Alerts
- Local Fire Restrictions: oregon.gov/odf
An evacuation shelter remains open at The Dalles Middle School, located at 1100 East 12th St. in The Dalles.