Paradise and Hagen Fire Updates for Aug 21, 2026

Contact Information: 541-970-7128    2026.paradise@firenet.gov

Hagen Fire
58,646 acres
Containment: 19%
Personnel: 887

Paradise Fire
6,745 acres
Containment: 0%
Personnel: 349

Key Messages

• Today is expected to be another active fire day. Firefighters are preparing for stronger winds tomorrow amid continued hot, dry conditions.
• The Mill Creek watershed is critical. Protecting its water intake and surrounding communities remains a top priority.

CURRENT CONDITIONS AND Planned activities

Paradise Fire

Yesterday, the fire remained active in the Low Ridge Creek and Mill Creek drainages. Similar behavior is expected today. Aircraft supported ground operations. Today, crews will continue to protect critical infrastructure including Mill Creek and the water intake, local utilities and communication sites. Firefighters will hold, improve and monitor firelines along the eastern and southern flanks near Low Ridge Creek, focusing on preventing the fire’s spread into the drainage near Forest Roads 64 and 65. Drones, aircraft, heavy equipment, and hand tools will support these efforts. Crews are also improving dozer lines and handlines on the south and west sides, while structure protection resources remain in place.

Hagen Fire

An overnight infrared flight showed increased heat along the fire’s west and north edges. Similar to yesterday, firefighters will locate and mop up those hot spots today, with aircraft supporting operations throughout the day.  Crews will continue monitoring unburned areas to the southeast and checking Forest Service Road 31 for newly detected heat. Heavy equipment used to strengthen the road’s shaded fuel break will leave the area today as a safety precaution ahead of tomorrow’s forecast winds.

Weather and Fire Behavior

Today will be partly to mostly cloudy with a 10% chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Temperatures in Walla Walla could approach the daily record of 100 degrees. Humidity could drop to 13-17%. Winds of 8 to 12 mph may gust to 18 mph this afternoon. With ignition potential extremely high, torching trees near the perimeter could loft embers across existing firelines.

EVACUATIONS

Evacuation Levels: 

Fire conditions can change rapidly. Evacuation levels and Road Closures are frequently adjusted. 

Umatilla County, Union County and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation 

County Emergency Management Websites:

Columbia County Emergency Management

Umatilla County Emergency Management 

Union County Emergency Management

Walla Walla County Emergency Management

Closures and Special Messages

Umatilla National Forest Closures: For public safety and to facilitate firefighting operations the following National Forest Closures have been issued. 

Hagen Fire: 

Expanded closure order for the Hagen Fire

Hagen and Horse Ridge Fire Emergency Closure

Paradise Fire: 

Paradise Fire Emergency Closure 

Road Closure Information: 

Oregon Department of Transportation Trip Check 

Fire Restrictions: The Umatilla National Forest has issued public use restrictions for smoking, off-road travel, and chainsaw use across the entire national forest.

Smoke Outlook: For current smoke reports visit https://fire.airnow.gov. 

Detailed Northeast Oregon Air Reports 

Detailed Southeast Washington Air Reports  

Air Space Restrictions: 

Temporary Flight Restrictions are in place over the wildfires. If you fly, we can’t. Every time a drone is spotted near the fire all aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of this area. http://knowbeforeyoufly.org

 

BMIDC MORNING BRIEFING
August 21, 2026
BMIDC WEBSITE
8/20 (NEW) INITIAL ATTACK	Fires	Acres
Umatilla National Forest	0	0
Wallowa Whitman National Forest	1	0.5
Vale/PRD District BLM Baker Area	0	0
NEO Oregon Department of Forestry	1	1
WA DNR Snake River Unit	0	0
BIA Umatilla Agency	0	0
Total	2	1.5
INCIDENT SUMMARY
Previous Day 8/20/2026 Kernan Springs – ORWWF – 0.5 Acres Tenderfoot – WALODF - 1 Acre

Paradise and Hagen Fire Updates for Aug 20, 2026

 Contact Information: 541-970-7128    2026.paradise@firenet.gov

Hagen Fire
58,153 acres
Containment: 19%
Personnel: 1,134

Paradise Fire
6,129 acres
Containment: 0%
Personnel: 384

Key Messages

• Evacuation notices remain in effect around both fires. Please check the evacuations section below for the most updated information.
• Highway 204 is now open. Drivers should expect fire engines, heavy equipment, smoke and reduced visibility along the highway.

CURRENT CONDITIONS AND Planned activities

Paradise Fire

Fire remained active Wednesday in the Low Ridge Creek and Mill Creek drainages and will remain active again today. Aircraft were used in support of firefighting operations. Today, crews will continue building and improving fireline along Mill Creek and the water intake to protect critical infrastructure. Firefighters will continue to improve firelines along the eastern and southern sections of the fire to assist with control efforts in the Low Ridge Creek area. To support control operations, firefighters will use drones, aviation, heavy equipment, and handtools.  Firefighters will also improve dozer and handline on the south and west sides. Aircraft will work to keep the fire from advancing into the Low Ridge Creek drainage near Forest Roads 64 and 65. Structure protection will remain in place.

Hagen Fire

The Hagen Fire held steady on Wednesday. Crews mopped up hot spots and strengthened fireline on the north, northeast and east sides, while aircraft helped firefighters contain a spot fire. Overnight, crews completed a strategic burnout along dozer line and began mop-up. Today, firefighters will improve fireline and mop up near Highway 204, work on persistent heat on the east side, and monitor unburned areas to the southeast. Crews will continue to monitor Forest Service Road 31 for any new heat detected. Heavy equipment continues thinning brush and small trees along the road’s shaded fuel break. Drivers should expect firefighters and equipment traffic in these areas. 

Weather and Fire Behavior

Today will bring critical fire weather. It will be hot, sunny and extremely dry, with afternoon highs in the 80s and 90s. Humidity may fall to 8 to 12%. Winds will be around 10 mph with gusts up to 20 mph. Clouds may move in from the southwest late this afternoon. Fire may remain active in the Low Ridge Creek and Mill Creek drainages, making short uphill runs and occasionally burning groups of trees. Heat on the Hagen Fire could flare up and test containment lines.

EVACUATIONS

Evacuation Levels: 

Fire conditions can change rapidly. Evacuation levels and Road Closures are frequently adjusted. 

Umatilla County, Union County and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation 

County Emergency Management Websites:

Columbia County Emergency Management

Umatilla County Emergency Management 

Union County Emergency Management

Walla Walla County Emergency Management

Closures and Special Messages

Umatilla National Forest Closures: For public safety and to facilitate firefighting operations the following National Forest Closures have been issued. 

Hagen Fire: 

Expanded closure order for the Hagen Fire

Hagen and Horse Ridge Fire Emergency Closure

Paradise Fire: 

Paradise Fire Emergency Closure 

Road Closure Information: 

Oregon Department of Transportation Trip Check 

Fire Restrictions: The Umatilla National Forest has issued public use restrictions for smoking, off-road travel, and chainsaw use across the entire national forest.

Smoke Outlook: For current smoke reports visit https://fire.airnow.gov. 

Detailed Northeast Oregon Air Reports 

Detailed Southeast Washington Air Reports  

Air Space Restrictions: 

Temporary Flight Restrictions are in place over the wildfires. If you fly, we can’t. Every time a drone is spotted near the fire all aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of this area. http://knowbeforeyoufly.org

 

BMIDC MORNING BRIEFING
August 20, 2026
BMIDC WEBSITE
8/19 (NEW) INITIAL ATTACK	Fires	Acres
Umatilla National Forest	0	0
Wallowa Whitman National Forest	0	0
Vale/PRD District BLM Baker Area	0	0
NEO Oregon Department of Forestry	0	0
WA DNR Snake River Unit	0	0
BIA Umatilla Agency	1	0.1
Total	0	0
INCIDENT SUMMARY
Previous Day 8/19/2026 Charleston – ORUMA – 0.1 Acres West off Hwy 395, South of Union St - 1.5 miles southeast of Umatilla, OR Resources responded 8/19

Paradise and Hagen Fire Updates for Aug 19, 2026

Contact Information:
541-970-7128
2026.paradise@firenet.gov

Hagen Fire

Size: 57,678 acres

Containment: 19%

Personnel: 983

Paradise Fire

Size: 5,423 acres
Containment: 0%
Personnel: 358

Key Message:

• The Southern Area Team 3 took command of the Paradise and Hagen fires at 6 a.m. today. Incident Commander Bart Kicklighter thanks Northern Rockies Team 6 for its outstanding work.
• Evacuation levels increased today in some zones on the Paradise Fire in Umatilla County.
  • Level 3 (GO NOW) includes zones UMC-036, UMC-1406043-D and UMC-1406043-C. Residents in these areas should leave immediately. It is unsafe to stay.
  • Level 2 (GET SET) includes zones UMC-039 and UMC-041.
  • Level 1 (GET READY) for zone UMC-032 remains the same.
• Highway 204 remains closed. Assessments are ongoing. Drivers should not proceed with travel in this area without confirmation from law enforcement or the Oregon Department of Transportation.

CURRENT CONDITIONS AND Planned activities

Paradise Fire

Fire activity increased along Low Ridge and is moving toward Low Creek. Aircraft and drones helped slow the fire’s spread. Crews are working to improve fire control lines while securing hot spots along the fire’s edge near Forest Service Roads 64 and 65.  Structure protection remains in place near Snake Ridge, Table Rock Lookout and the water intake facilities along Mill Creek. Fire personnel will continue to monitor fire spread toward the southwest.

Hagen Fire

Crews continue to mop up and strengthen fireline near Highway 204 and Horseshoe Prairie. Firefighters will closely monitor the southeastern fire perimeter between Ruckel Spring and the Big Saddle–North Fork Meacham Creek area. Heavy equipment, including masticators, will continue removing brush and smaller trees along roadways and building a shaded fuel break along Forest Service Road 31. Drivers should expect additional equipment and firefighter traffic in these areas. Firefighters are also protecting structures, the Union Pacific Railroad and other infrastructure. 

Weather and Fire Behavior

Hot and very dry weather is expected today. Afternoon highs will reach the upper 80s and low 90s, with humidity dropping to 10 to 13%. Winds will shift to the northwest this afternoon, with ridgetop gusts around 15-18 mph. Dry grass and other fine fuels will ignite easily. Individual or groups of trees may ignite, and the fire could make short uphill runs and produce spot fires one-quarter to one-half mile ahead of the main fire. Humidity will remain low into the evening, allowing fire activity to continue. The Paradise Fire may remain active on Low Ridge, while unburned areas on the southeastern side of the Hagen Fire may continue to ignite and burn. 

EVACUATIONS 

Evacuation Levels:  

Fire conditions can change rapidly. Evacuation levels and Road Closures are frequently adjusted.  

Umatilla County, Union County and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation  

County Emergency Management Websites: 

Columbia County Emergency Management 

Umatilla County Emergency Management  

Union County Emergency Management 

Walla Walla County Emergency Management 

Closures and Special Messages 

Umatilla National Forest Closures: For public safety and to facilitate firefighting operations the following National Forest Closures have been issued.  

Hagen Fire:  

Expanded closure order for the Hagen Fire 

Hagen and Horse Ridge Fire Emergency Closure 

Paradise Fire:  

Paradise Fire Emergency Closure  

Road Closure Information:  

Oregon Department of Transportation Trip Check  

Fire Restrictions: The Umatilla National Forest has issued public use restrictions for smoking, off-road travel, and chainsaw use across the entire national forest. 

Smoke Outlook: For current smoke reports visit https://fire.airnow.gov.  

Detailed Northeast Oregon Air Reports  

Detailed Southeast Washington Air Reports   

Air Space Restrictions:  

Temporary Flight Restrictions are in place over the wildfires. If you fly, we can’t. Every time a drone is spotted near the fire all aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of this area. http://knowbeforeyoufly.org