Forest Officials Request Incident Management Team for Fires in Walla Walla Ranger District

 (Pendleton, OR, July 17, 2026) – Multiple lightning strikes from the past couple days across the Umatilla National Forest ignited approximately 20 fires across the forest. Some of these fires are in extended attack with numerous resources aiding fire suppression. Multiple agencies from county, district, state and federal agencies are actively responding to the incidents. Forest officials have ordered Northwest Team 7 to take over operations of the Paradise, Horse Ridge, and Hagen Fires which will in-brief Saturday, July 18 at 2:00 p.m.

The Paradise Fire, burning in Mill Creek Watershed area is estimated at 200 acres and is burning about 10 miles southeast of the City of Walla Walla, WA in grass and timber on steep remote terrain. Current fire behavior includes isolated torching and 2-6 ft flame lengths through the ground fuels. Crews, heavy equipment, aircraft including helicopters and air attack have been ordered.

The Horse Ridge Fire is approximately five miles northeast of Meacham, OR and is estimated at 250 acres and is in similar terrain of grass and timber on steep remote areas. Current fire behavior also includes isolated torching and 2-6 ft flame lengths through the ground fuels. Multiple fire crews, engines, and aircraft are working to establish a fireline where feasible.

The Hagen Fire is approximately nine miles southwest of Tollgate, OR and is estimated at 100 acres and also in areas of grass and timber on steep remote terrain as the other two fires. Current fire behavior includes isolated torching and 2-6 ft flame lengths through the ground fuels. Hotshot crew is enroute to this fire.  

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.

The public is asked to avoid the areas for everyone’s safety and to facilitate the firefighting efforts. 

Weather: Dry and breezy conditions will prevail through Saturday mainly in the Columbia Gorge and Basin. Beyond Saturday, hotter weather looks to return, and thunderstorm chances will return to the mountains by the middle of next week.

For the latest information regarding smoke and air quality see https://fire.airnow.gov/.

Officials want to remind everyone that the current fire danger rating is at HIGH for Umatilla National Forest and Public Use Restrictions Phase B 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!

For more information regarding Restrictions, please contact:

Umatilla National Forest:
Information Hotline: Toll-Free (877) 958-9663
www.facebook.com/UmatillaNF  
X: https://x.com/UmatillaNF

The latest fire information will be posted on the Blue Mountains Fire Information Blog. To receive updates on fires in the Blue Mountains, follow our blog at http://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/.

Additional information about the Umatilla National Forest is available at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/umatilla.

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Paradise Fire July 17, 2026, taken from Aerial Recon.
(US Forest Service Photo.)