Bologna Fire Update - July 25, 2026

Fire Statistics:

Start Date: July 16, 2026

Cause:  Lightning/Natural

Size:  2,338 acres

Containment:  15%

Location: 7 miles NE of Kimberly, OR

Resources Assigned:  

Total Personnel: 372

Crews: 12

Engines:10

Heavy Equipment: 18

Current Situation:  

The fire remains active, moving through short dry grass and underbrush. The concentrated heat is tossing embers slightly ahead of the fire’s edge and igniting small ground starts. Because the dry short grass ignites so easily, the surface fire is expected to stay active throughout the day, with potential for isolated tree torching as temperatures rise. Aviation assets remain in limited use due to availability.

 

Operations are focused on extending hose lay, digging out hot spots, and expanding water resources across all active sections. Crews are securing lines from Happy Jack Ridge to Road 202, using aircraft resources when available. Hazard tree removal is picking up as crews work to mop up sections of fire.

Emergency notifications and evacuation updates are coordinated through local Emergency Management. Residents near the fire area are encouraged to stay informed through official fire information. 

Weather and Fire Behavior: Shifting winds and atmospheric instability will drive weather conditions over the coming days as a upper weather system moves across the region. Saturday afternoon will bring westerly winds that shift to the northwest by late afternoon, with gusty and erratic conditions reaching up to 20 mph after 4:00 PM. Daytime relative humidity will drop into the mid-to-upper teens, creating hot and dry conditions alongside temperatures in the low 90s. Winds will shift out of the north and ease overnight, accompanied by good humidity recovery and an atmospheric inversion settling in between 10:00 PM and 11:00 PM that should help calm surface flames. For the latest information regarding smoke and air quality see https://fire.airnow.gov/. 

Evacuations and Closures: Refer to your local county Sheriff’s office for current evacuations information:

• Grant County Emergency Management: https://www.facebook.com/p/Grant-County-Emergency-Management-100068819321423/
• State of Oregon Fire Information: https://geohub.oregon.gov/apps/oregon-geo::raptor-real-time-assessment-and-planning-tool-for-oregon/explore
• Morrow County Emergency Management: https://www.facebook.com/MorrowCountyEM

Safety: Officials want to remind everyone that the current fire danger rating is at HIGH for Umatilla National Forest and Public Use Restrictions Phase C are in effect on the forest. Please remember unauthorized drone flights can shut down aerial firefighting operations, making fires grow larger, threatening more lives, property, and critical habitats. If You Fly, We Can’t!