Salmon Fire Update - July 16, 2026

Northwest Team 12

 Salmon Fire   

  July 16, 2026   

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

 

Total Resources: 60 engines; 23 crews; 19 heavy equipment; 32 water tenders; 5 helicopters; 1051 personnel

As structural protection work is completed and containment increases, task forces with the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) have begun demobilizing. OSFM task forces are being reassigned to other fires throughout the state sparked by recent weather events. OSFM resources and its Incident Management Team remain committed to completing their structural protection mission for the Salmon and Olive Butte fires.

Firefighters are working day and night to suppress both fires. Today structural resources will patrol local communities to protect structures in the event the fire advances toward them. *Acres adjusted on both fires due to more accurate mapping.

Salmon Fire: Size: 1,505 acres* | Start Date: July 8, 2026 | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 10%

Firefighters continued mopping up around the heel of the fire yesterday, securing and strengthening fireline while lining and mopping up spot fires along the western flank. Fire managers scouted roads to DuPratt Spring for potential secondary firelines, and crews began preparing those roads by removing excess vegetation adjacent to the roadway. Along the eastern fire flank, firefighters continued constructing direct fireline along the fire’s edge while dozers built indirect fireline to corral the fire around the northern end near Lightning Creek. Helicopter managers identified and approved remote landing sites to support firefighter insertion and emergency extraction operations. Firefighters continue to assess structure protection needs at additional cabins and other structures, removing overgrown vegetation to improve defensible space and chipping downed vegetation to reduce fuel loading around structures and along roads. Heavy helicopters dropped water to slow fire spread and cool hotspots and will continue that work today as conditions allow. Crews continue patrolling for spot fires to quickly secured any fire that crosses established fireline.

Olive Butte Fire: Size: 2,452* acres | Start Date: July 8, 2026 | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 10%

Yesterday firefighters directly engaged the fire where feasible, establishing hoselays and mopping up to secure the entire heel. Along FS Road 13, firefighters strengthened the road as a control feature by adding depth and removing small pockets of heavier fuels adjacent to the roadway through limited firing operations. Dozers continued constructing indirect fireline to help protect the community of Granite. Fire managers scouted the area from FS Road 10 to Olive Lake and along the north and northeast flanks to identify potential fireline locations. Hotshot crews will construct handline on the western flank, working north from the dozer line to FS Road 13. Firefighters also continue improving structure protection around threatened values and implementing contingency plans to prepare for rapidly changing fire behavior.

Weather and Smoke: Thunderstorms could develop from early to mid-afternoon and last until after sunset today. Temperatures will be in the lower-to-mid 80s today with winds SE 3-5 mph becoming SW 8-10 mph, gusting to 20 mph. 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: The Salmon, Olive Butte, and Anthony Fire Area Closure has been updated. 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/