Fire Information Phone: 541-970-7128 (8 am – 8 pm; voice only; texts will not be received)
Email: 2026.paradise@firenet.gov
Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/
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July 26, 2026
Hagen Fire Grows; Containment on Others Progresses
Update: A thick blanket of smoke from other Oregon fires covered the area yesterday, moderating fire spread and limiting the atmospheric instability that fuels rapid growth. Firefighters made good progress on many flanks of the three fires in the group. In total, 870 people are working out of bases in Walla Walla and Athena to fully extinguish all fires as efficiently and safely as possible. Firefighters are using tactics and strategies that provide the highest likelihood of success while mitigating risks to responders. This means a combination of direct fire line construction at the fires’ edge where possible, and indirect control lines where they can be defended and successfully contain the fire.
The Oregon State Fire Marshal has mobilized five structural task forces to this fire and is working in unified command with Northwest Team 7. The Incident Management Team is working in close coordination with Umatilla and Walla Walla County Sheriff’s offices, City of Walla Walla, state agencies, and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation to protect values at risk. These values include human safety, structures and communities, protection of municipal water supply, railroad corridors, private timber and range lands, and recreation opportunities.
The Paradise Fire (740 acres) about 10 miles southeast of Walla Walla showed minimal growth yesterday. Teams have identified good defensible indirect line locations and line construction is underway, using helicopter water drops to keep the fire in check. Hand crews have gained access to the fire’s edge and will construct direct hand line as fire behavior permits. Because the Paradise Fire is entirely within the municipal watershed for the City of Walla Walla it requires very careful suppression activity to preserve the integrity of the watershed.
The Hagen Fire (24,038 acres) about 9 miles southwest of Tollgate, Ore. burned actively yesterday. Helicopters delivered over 100,000 gallons of water drops to keep the fire within containment lines and away from structures. Growth was primarily to the south and east. Firefighters maintained containment south of Bingham Road, and worked to locate fire line opportunities to contain the fire where it crossed Stumbough Ridge on the west side of the fire. Firefighters continue to improve a contingency line on the ridge line north of Bingham Road to further protect the Highway 204 corridor. Scouting and fire line construction is underway to improve and connect existing roads to close off the southern and eastern flanks. The Hagen Fire has merged with the Ninemile Fire. This report will no longer address the Ninemile Fire.
The Horse Ridge Fire (831 acres) about 5 miles northeast of Meacham, Ore. showed minimal fire behavior and is 60% contained. The fire grew moderately as it slowly advanced to the prepared fire lines. Firefighters are reinforcing fire lines and mopping up along the fire’s edge.
Evacuation Levels: The Umatilla County Sheriff reminds the public that due to the remote nature of these affected areas, residents must remain extremely vigilant and proactively monitor surrounding fire activity. Fire conditions can change rapidly. Evacuation levels have been elevated in areas of Umatilla County, Union County and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. See the advisories at https://www.umatillacounty.net/departments/sheriffs-office/emergency-management/emergency-advisories. Follow the Sheriff’s Office on Facebook for evacuation updates: https://www.facebook.com/UmatillaCountySheriff
Fire and Fuels Advisory: The Northwest Coordination Center’s Predictive Services has issued an advisory https://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/content/pdfs/Fuels_and_Fire_Behavior_Advisory_PNW_20260714.pdf for most of Oregon and Washington that warns of dryer than normal fuel conditions due to record low snowpacks that will contribute to more active fire behavior and longer burning periods than is normal for this time of year.
Weather and Fire Behavior: Good humidity recovery overnight and in the morning hours will help to moderate fire growth. A northwest flow with gusts to 15 mph on ridgetops is expected. Heavy smoke from other fires will limit visibility, and will continue to limit atmospheric instability.
Smoke Outlook: For current smoke reports visit https://fire.airnow.gov
Fire Restrictions: The Umatilla National Forest has issued public use restrictions https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/umatilla/alerts/phase-c-public-use-restrictions for smoking, off-road travel, and chainsaw use across the entire national forest.
Umatilla National Forest Closures: Forest officials have issued the following Forest Closure Order, https://www.fs.usda.gov/sites/nfs/files/r06/umatilla/publication/alerts/06-14-06-26-09_Hagen-HorseRidgeFire_FullOrder.pdf for public safety and to facilitate firefighting operations. Areas included in the closure include Corporation Guard Station and Trailhead, North Fork Umatilla Trailhead, Umatilla Fork Day-Use Area and Campground, Buck Creek Cabin, and Buck Creek Trailhead.
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
