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