Paradise, Hagen, Ninemile and Horse Ridge Fire Information - July 21, 2026

 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/

AirNow: https://fire.airnow.gov

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61592064000400

 

July 21, 2026

Evacuation Levels Increase Again as Weather Warms and Dries

Update: An Incident Command Post is in place in Walla Walla, with an operating base in Athena to bring firefighters closer to the most active fires in the group. This helps minimize driving time and maximize effective operations on the ground. The fires are widely separated and in steep and inaccessible terrain.

Additional firefighters have arrived, bringing the total personnel assigned to 286. They are using full suppression tactics and strategies that provide the highest likelihood of success while mitigating risks to responders. Values at risk include human safety, structures and communities, municipal watersheds, railroad corridors, private timber and range lands, and recreation opportunities. 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.

Heavy smoke blanketed the area yesterday, shading the fires and slowing growth. The heavy smoke also prevented air operations. A helicopter flew a single reconnaissance mission and determined that visibility was too poor to allow safe air operations.

The Paradise Fire (est. 519 acres) about 10 miles southeast of Walla Walla showed only moderate activity. Firefighters made good progress clearing brush from existing roads and preparing road surfaces for fire traffic.

The Hagen Fire (est. 5,685 acres) about 9 miles southwest of Tollgate, Ore. burned actively overnight and created spot fires that forced the withdrawal of smokejumpers working on the Ninemile Fire to the east. Structure protection measures remained in place, strengthened by additional resources from the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office.

The Horse Ridge Fire (est. 611 acres) about 5 miles northeast of Meacham, Ore. grew only slightly. Firefighters are successfully holding the fire along the 050 Road, burning to remove fuels along the road to strengthen it as a containment line. This fire is considered 10 percent contained.

The Ninemile Fire (est. 19 acres), located 4 miles southwest of Tollgate within the North Fork Umatilla Wilderness, has shown very little activity in the past 24 hours and is currently unstaffed due to the Hagen Fire’s approach from the west.

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.

Umatilla County with Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation has issued evacuations for the Hagen Fire that include Level 3 (GO NOW!) and Level 2 and Level 1 for affected areas. 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 a Fuels and Fire Behavior Advisory 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: Significantly warmer weather is ahead for the next several days, with temperatures nearing 100 degrees in lower elevations. By the end of the week, atmospheric instability and higher wind speeds may accelerate fire behavior.

Smoke Outlook: Patchy smoke is expected throughout the day. For current smoke reports visit https://fire.airnow.gov

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

Umatilla National Forest Closures: Forest officials will soon issue a temporary area closure around the fires 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

Salmon Fire Update - July 21, 2026

Northwest Team 12    

 Salmon Fire   

  July 21, 2026   

    Fire Information: (541) 407-5475, 8 AM - 8 PM

 

Total Resources: 44 engines; 37 crews; 51 heavy equipment; 33 water tenders; 5 helicopters; 1,365 personnel

Higher humidity and slightly cooler temperatures moderated fire behavior on both fires yesterday. Widespread smoke in the area subdued fire behavior by blocking direct sunlight, reducing the heating and drying of surface fuels. Fire resources remain prepared to assist with new fire starts in the area. Helicopters assisted with an initial attack fire yesterday, and fire managers flew a reconnaissance mission and observed only isolated smoke across both the Salmon and Olive Butte fires. As containment continues to increase, resources will be made available to respond to other priority fires.

Salmon Fire: Size: 1,439 acres | Start Date: July 8, 2026 | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 30%

Suppression efforts are largely focused on the wilderness area where hotshots are engaging the fire directly with hoselays and checkline. Near the wilderness boundary on the northern flank, some heat remains near the handline and firefighters continue to patrol for spot fires. Firefighters at the southern end of the fire will be gridding, moving in parallel lines searching for and extinguishing remaining pockets of heat near containment lines. Fire crews are clearing a few areas for emergency helicopter extraction in remote areas of the fire where crews are working. The fire continues to burn in areas with substantial fuel loading of closely spaced trees and deep duff layers of woody debris, and heavy equipment continues to reduce fuels to maintain feasible fireline locations.

Olive Butte Fire: Size: 2,987 acres | Start Date: July 8, 2026 | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 25%

Firefighters secured a spot fire from the previous night yesterday morning and continued to patrol for spot fires, especially on the northwestern flank of the fire. Fire crews detected another spot fire and quickly responded to line and secure it at less than a quarter-acre. Helicopters aided in securing these spot fires by dropping water, allowing firefighters to contain them and complete mop-up. Hotshot crews successfully completed handline directly along the fire’s edge down both sides of the Lost Boy Gulch drainage. Additional helicopters dropped water to slow the spread of the fire on the northern flank of the fire, allowing handcrews to construct direct handline anchored from FS Road 13. Fire crews will continue this handline construction today, progressing until they tie into dozer line along the northern perimeter. Structure protection measures are still in place and firefighters are completing quality control, checking and testing all the pumps, hose, and sprinklers for proper functioning.

Weather and Smoke: Temperatures are forecasted to be 85-90 degrees today with winds SW 4-8 mph in the morning, becoming NW 5-9 mph with gusts to 15 mph after 1 PM. There is a NE Oregon Daily Smoke Outlook available on the Oregon Smoke Information page that covers the Salmon and Olive Butte Fires. For the latest information regarding smoke and air quality, check AirNow Fire and Smoke Map.

Evacuations: Residents should be prepared for changes in evacuation levels as fire conditions can rapidly change. Baker County Sheriff’s Office has issued evacuations for the Greenhorn and Granite communities. As the threat of the fire diminishes, evacuation levels may be reduced. Heavy equipment and fire vehicles are still working in these areas, so please drive with caution and be alert for unexpected fire traffic on narrow roads. To sign up for notifications in your area, visit Grant County Everbridge or Baker County Alert.

Closures and Safety: There is a Salmon, Olive Butte, and Anthony Fire Area Closure. The public is asked to avoid the fire closure area for everyone’s safety and to facilitate firefighting efforts. There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the fire area. Unauthorized drone activity is prohibited under this TFR, as firefighting helicopters and aircraft cannot fly when drones are present.

InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orumf-salmon-fire

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SalmonFireOR2026 

Salmon Fire Information: (541) 407-5475, 8 AM – 8 PM      

Email: 2026.salmon@firenet.gov

Blue Mountains Fire Information Blog: https://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/

7/21/2026 Morning Briefing

 

BMIDC MORNING BRIEFING
July 21, 2026
BMIDC WEBSITE
07/20 (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 07/20/2026 No New Activity to Report.

Salmon Fire Update - July 20, 2026

Northwest Team 12

Salmon Fire 

July 20, 2026  

 Fire Information: (541) 407-5475, 8 AM - 8 PM  

Total Resources: 44 engines; 35 crews; 66 heavy equipment; 31 water tenders; 5 helicopters; 1,368 personnel

Conditions are expected to be hot and dry today with potential for active fire behavior including spotting and tree torching. Smoke is expected to linger in the area from fires burning to the west. 

Salmon Fire: Size: 1,441 acres | Start Date: July 8, 2026 | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 20% 

On the southern flank of the fire, firefighters continued mop-up operations using sprinklers and hoselays as they worked to strengthen and deepen existing control lines. A masticator completed work improving contingency lines along the ridge to Dupratt Springs. Hotshot crews completed a multi-day operation constructing handline around the northern fire perimeter. The hotshots then moved into the wilderness to install hoselays and portable pumps in the Salmon Creek drainage directly along the fire edge, mopping up as they progress to ensure the lines are secured. Warmer and drier conditions led an uptick in fire behavior yesterday, and firefighters used helicopter water drops to cool and slow a spot fire on the northeastern fire flank. Firefighters working on structural protection around Greenhorn are maintaining and adjusting water lines and sprinklers around homes and cabins. As this work is completed, excess resources are being released to return home to rest and refurbish or are reassigned to other area fires. Crews will continue to mop-up, hold, and improve control lines over the next several days.

Olive Butte Fire: Size: 3,022 acres | Start Date: July 8, 2026 | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 20% 

Warmer temperatures and lower humidity increased fire behavior on this fire as well, especially on the northwestern fire flank where areas of intense heat remain. A heavy helicopter assisted crews in holding the fire along FS Road 13, using water drops to reduce fire intensity and quickly secure a spot fire. The fire remained active last night, and firefighters overnight located and quickly lined and installed sprinklers around another spot fire in the northwestern corner. Although primary lines are in place along roads on the northern end of the fire, firefighters have been working to identify a more direct place to catch the fire higher up the hill to minimize the acres burned. Yesterday dozers began to construct direct fireline in that area and are working carefully to secure and anchor new control lines to the existing handline. Handcrews also began working near Lost Boy Gulch to install direct line closer to the fire’s edge. Firefighters assigned to structure protection are maintaining and testing hoselays and sprinkler systems in Granite and Fremont Powerhouse to ensure proper functioning. 

Weather and Smoke: Temperatures will be 85-90 degrees today with winds NW 5-9 mph with gusts to 15 mph after noon today. There is a NE Oregon Daily Smoke Outlook available on the Oregon Smoke Information page that covers the Salmon and Olive Butte Fires. For the latest information regarding smoke and air quality, check AirNow Fire and Smoke Map.

Evacuations: Residents should be prepared for changes in evacuation levels as fire conditions can rapidly change. Baker County Sheriff’s Office has issued evacuations for the Greenhorn and Granite communities. To sign up for notifications in your area, visit Grant County Everbridge or Baker County Alert.

Closures and Safety: There is a Salmon, Olive Butte, and Anthony Fire Area Closure. The public is asked to avoid the fire closure area for everyone’s safety and to facilitate firefighting efforts. There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the fire area. Unauthorized drone activity is prohibited under this TFR, as firefighting helicopters and aircraft cannot fly when drones are present.

InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orumf-salmon-fire

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SalmonFireOR2026 

Salmon Fire Information: (541) 407-5475, 8 AM – 8 PM     Email: 2026.salmon@firenet.gov

Blue Mountains Fire Information Blog: https://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/

Paradise, Hagen, Ninemile and Horse Ridge Fire Information - July 20, 2026

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/ 

AirNow: https://fire.airnow.gov 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61592064000400 

 

July 20, 2026  

Evacuation Levels Increase as Hot, Dry and Windy Conditions Continue 

Update: An Incident Command Post is in place in Walla Walla and another operating base is setting up in Athena to manage these lightning-caused fires as effectively and safely as possible. The fires are widely separated and in steep and inaccessible terrain. 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. 

A total of 210 firefighters are using full suppression tactics and strategies that provide the highest likelihood of success while mitigating risks to responders. Values at risk include human safety, structures and communities, municipal watersheds, railroad corridors, private timber and range lands, and recreation opportunities. Northwest Team 7 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. 

The Paradise Fire (est. 453 acres) about 10 miles southeast of Walla Walla is showing moderate activity. Work is underway to clear brush from existing roads and prepare road surfaces for fire traffic. Aerial water drops have been used to manage fire intensity and slow its spread. 

The Hagen Fire (est. 3,794 acres) about 9 miles southwest of Tollgate, Ore. is burning very actively and spotting. Structure protection measures are in place with fire crews working through the night. The fire is expected to continue backing downhill toward these structures. Air operations have been constrained by heavy smoke and very poor visibility.  

The Horse Ridge Fire (est. 557 acres) about 5 miles northeast of Meacham, Ore. is burning actively. Firefighters are successfully holding the fire along the 050 Road, burning to remove fuels along the road to strengthen it as a containment line. This fire is considered 10 percent contained. 

The Ninemile Fire (est. 19 acres), located 4 miles southwest of Tollgate within the North Fork Umatilla Wilderness, has shown very little activity in the past 24 hours.  

Evacuation Levels: Umatilla County with Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation has issued evacuations for the Hagen Fire that include Level 3 (GO NOW!) and Level 2 and Level 1 for affected areas. 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 a Fuels and Fire Behavior Advisory 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: Firefighters expect a trend of higher temperatures, low humidity and persistent light winds in the next several days. Fires have shown active behavior even through the night, especially on southerly slopes exposed to sun and wind. Relatively calm fire behavior is expected in the morning and into the early afternoon with activity increasing later in the day and into the evening. Some torching and spotting are likely within timbered drainages. Downslope winds after sunset are expected to increase downhill runs into the evening. 

Smoke Outlook: Patchy smoke is expected throughout the day. For current smoke reports visit https://fire.airnow.gov  

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

Umatilla National Forest Closures: Forest officials will soon issue a temporary area closure around the fires 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

7/20/2026 Morning Briefing

 

BMIDC MORNING BRIEFING
July 20, 2026
BMIDC WEBSITE
07/19 (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	2	1.75
WA DNR Snake River Unit	1	10
BIA Umatilla Agency	0	0
Total	3	11.75
INCIDENT SUMMARY
Previous Day 07/19/2026 WA DNR – Johnson RD for 10 Acres NEO ODF – Meecham Creek for 1.5 Acres and Bingham Springs for .25 Acres

Paradise, Hagen, Ninemile and Horse Ridge Fire Information - July 19, 2026

 Fire Information Phone: 541-970-7128 (8 am – 8 pm; voice only; texts will not be received) 

Email: 2026.paradise@firenet.gov 

AirNow: https://fire.airnow.gov

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61592064000400

July 19, 2026 

Management Team Will Help Firefighters Suppress Umatilla Forest Fires 

Update: Northwest Incident Management Team 7, an interagency complex incident management team, took command of four wildfires on the Umatilla National Forest at 6 a.m. today. The team will assist and coordinate numerous firefighting resources as they work to suppress and extinguish the lightning-caused fires as quickly and safely as possible. 

The fires under Team 7’s command include the Paradise Fire, burning about 10 miles southeast of Walla Walla; the Hagen Fire, burning about 9 miles southwest of Tollgate, Ore.; the Horse Ridge Fire, burning about 5 miles northeast of Meacham, Ore.; and the Ninemile Fire, located four miles southwest of Tollgate within the North Fork Umatilla Wilderness. 

Firefighters are using full suppression tactics and strategies that provide the highest likelihood of success while mitigating risks to responders. Values at risk include human safety, structures and communities, municipal watersheds, railroad corridors, private timber and range lands, and recreation opportunities.

The team is working to establish a command post in Walla Walla and another operating base for firefighters closer to the Hagen and Horse Ridge Fires. More information will be shared in the coming days via email and on the platforms listed above, such as operational firefighting updates, maps, closures and evacuations, and weather, smoke and fire behavior updates.

Evacuation Levels: Umatilla County has issued a Level 3 (GO NOW!) evacuation for the Hagen Fire that includes Bingham Road, the Umatilla River Corridor and Hagen Creek area. 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 a Fuels and Fire Behavior Advisory 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: Hot and dry conditions continue today with 5 to 10 mph, terrain-driven winds across the fire areas followed by poor humidity recovery Monday night. Temperatures range from the mid-70s on the Paradise Fire to mid to upper 80s on the Hagen and Horse Ridge fires. Relatively calm fire behavior is expected in the morning and into the early afternoon with activity increasing later in the day and into the evening. Some torching and spotting are likely within timbered drainages. Downslope winds after sunset are expected to increase downhill runs into the evening.

Smoke Outlook: Patchy smoke is expected throughout the day. For current smoke reports visit https://fire.airnow.gov

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

Umatilla National Forest Closures: Forest officials will soon issue a temporary area closure around the fires 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

Salmon Fire Update - July 19, 2026

Northwest Team 12

Salmon Fire 

July 19, 2026  

 Fire Information: (541) 407-5475, 8 AM - 8 PM  

Total Resources: 44 engines; 42 crews; 51 heavy equipment; 26 water tenders; 5 helicopters; 1,451 personnel

Fires to our west continue burning actively, putting up widespread smoke that has been covering the Salmon and Olive Butte Fires. This layer of smoke has helped to moderate fire activity but has impacted visibility for aerial firefighting operations. An Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) equipped with infrared thermal imaging flew over the Clear Creek and Buck Gulch fires to search for any remaining areas of residual heat. Helicopters aided suppression operations dropping water on both fires but were temporarily shut down late afternoon yesterday due to smoke.

Salmon Fire: Size: 1,495 acres | Start Date: July 8, 2026 | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 15% 

Firefighters continued to work improving lines around the fire yesterday, strengthening and deepening these control lines. On the western flank, firefighters removed snags along roads to create safer access as crews will be moving into the wilderness to set up hoselays directly along the fire edge. Fire crews and a masticator worked to improve fireline along the ridgeline to Dupratt Springs. Yesterday afternoon there was a slight uptick in fire behavior due to breezy and warming conditions that resulted in a quarter-acre “slop” over the fireline. Firefighters quickly moved in and secured this slopover with the support of helicopter water drops. Today, teams of sawyers will remove hazard trees near the fireline to allow fire crews to further mop-up and secure existing firelines. Hotshot crews are wrapping up handline construction around the north end of the fire perimeter and will engage the fire more directly in the wilderness. 

Olive Butte Fire: Size: 2,747 acres | Start Date: July 8, 2026 | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 15% 

Firefighters continue to build on their progress securing control lines around much of the fire perimeter, while the northwestern portion of the fire remains the most active. Last night the UAS utilized a plastic sphere dispenser (PSD) for precision aerial ignitions to remove small pockets of unburned fuels and secure portions of the northwestern fire perimeter. Hotshot crews worked steadily at the head of the fire to connect control lines between the northwest and northeast flanks. The Lost Boy Gulch remains active, and direct tactics are being scouted for feasibility and safety for firefighters. Structure protection remains the top focus as fire crews continue working to prevent the fire from moving closer to homes. As the south structure group completes its work around Greenhorn on the Salmon Fire, resources are being sent north to bolster structure protection measures at Fremont Powerhouse and the Granite community. Firefighters also responded to spot fires near the fireline, another reminder that shifting wind patterns can suddenly change firefighting conditions. 

Weather and Smoke: Temperatures will be 85-90 degrees with winds SW 5-7 mph, becoming 8-10 with gusts to 15 mph after noon today. There is a NE Oregon Daily Smoke Outlook available on the Oregon Smoke Information page that covers the Salmon and Olive Butte Fires. For the latest information regarding smoke and air quality, check AirNow Fire and Smoke Map.

Evacuations: Residents should be prepared for changes in evacuation levels as fire conditions can rapidly change. Baker County Sheriff’s Office has issued evacuations for the Greenhorn and Granite communities. To sign up for notifications in your area, visit Grant County Everbridge or Baker County Alert.

Closures and Safety: There is a Salmon, Olive Butte, and Anthony Fire Area Closure. The public is asked to avoid the fire closure area for everyone’s safety and to facilitate firefighting efforts. There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the fire area. Unauthorized drone activity is prohibited under this TFR, as firefighting helicopters and aircraft cannot fly when drones are present.

InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orumf-salmon-fire

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SalmonFireOR2026 

Salmon Fire Information: (541) 407-5475, 8 AM – 8 PM     Email: 2026.salmon@firenet.gov

Blue Mountains Fire Information Blog: https://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/