Paradise and Hagen Fire Updates for Aug 22, 2026

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

Hagen Fire
59,107 acres
Containment: 19%
Personnel: 956

Paradise Fire
7,028 acres
Containment: 0%
Personnel: 311

Key Messages

• A Red Flag Warning is in Effect. Firefighters are prepared for strong winds today and incoming thunderstorms. Holding firelines will be the priority.  
• The Mill Creek watershed remains critical. Protecting its water intake and surrounding communities will be of upmost importance today.

CURRENT CONDITIONS AND Planned activities

Paradise Fire

The fire continued to spread yesterday with an increase of 283 acres. A Red Flag Warning has been issued today with high winds expected this afternoon ahead of incoming thunderstorms. Significant fire growth is expected. Firefighters will remain vigilant in protecting Mill Creek and the water intake, as well as local utilities and communication sites, and Forest Service Roads 64 and 65. Increased fire activity and weather may force crews to seek safety or engage fires in other areas later in the day as long-range spotting is possible, as well as new fire starts from lightning. Aircraft will continue to support ground operations. Structure protection remains vital and will stay in place again today.

Hagen Fire

The perimeter grew yesterday with an increase of 461 acres. Increased fire growth is expected today. Firefighters will work hard today to hold containment lines during significant winds and potential lightning. With significant weather and new starts possible, resources may be required to change tactics quickly. Forest Service Road 31 will remain a priority today, as well as other areas southeast of the fire. Aircraft will continue to support ground operations as much as possible given the weather forecast.

Weather and Fire Behavior

A Red Flag Warning has been issued across both fires today for high winds and thunderstorms. Today will start partly sunny with temperatures in the high 80s to low 90s. Showers and thunderstorms will start in the afternoon, peaking between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Winds will increase this afternoon to 14-18 mph with gusts potentially up to 40-50 mph in the afternoon, peaking between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. and continuing until midnight. Fire activity is expected to increase today as probability of ignition is extremely high. Torching trees near the fires’ perimeter could easily loft embers across containment lines. Other unburned interior areas are expected to continue to fill in.

Paradise and Hagen Fires

IMPORTANT - INFORMATION AND CONDITIONS CAN CHANGE RAPIDLY
Conditions can change rapidly. Evacuation levels and road closures are frequently adjusted.

EVACUATIONS	Umatilla County, Union County and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation https://www.facebook.com/UmatillaCountySheriff On Facebook at @Umatilla County Sheriff's Office @Union County Sheriff’s Office @Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
	Columbia County Emergency Management https://www.columbiaco.com/67/Emergency-Alert
	Umatilla County Emergency Management https://umatillacounty.net/departments/sheriffs-office/emergency-management/emergency-advisories
	Union County Emergency Management https://unioncountyor.gov/emergency-services/es-current-alerts
	Walla Walla County Emergency Management https://www.wwemd.info
CLOSURES	The Umatilla National Forest has issued closures for public safety and to support firefighting operations. Expanded closure order for the Hagen Fire https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/umatilla/alerts/hagen-fire-expanded-emergency-closure
	Hagen and Horse Ridge Fire Emergency Closure https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/umatilla/alerts/hagen-and-horse-ridge-fire-emergency-closure
	Paradise Fire Emergency Closure https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/umatilla/alerts/paradise-fire-emergency-closure
ROAD CLOSURES	Oregon Department of Transportation TripCheck        https://tripcheck.com/
FIRE RESTRICTIONS	The Umatilla National Forest has issued public use restrictions for smoking, off-road travel and chainsaw use across the entire national forest. Public use restrictions https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/umatilla/alerts/phase-c-public-use-restrictions
SMOKE	For current smoke reports, use the linked resources. AirNow Fire and Smoke Map       https://fire.airnow.gov
	Detailed Northeast Oregon Air Reports https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/61e48530
	Detailed Southeast Washington Air Reports https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/bb27fabc
TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS	If you fly, we can't. If a drone is near a fire, aircraft are grounded until responders can be sure the drone is clear of the area. Know Before You Fly        http://knowbeforeyoufly.org

08.22.26 Morning Briefing

 

BMIDC MORNING BRIEFING
August 22, 2026
BMIDC WEBSITE
8/21 (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	0	0
Total	0	0
INCIDENT SUMMARY
Previous Day 8/21/2026   No new activity to report.

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