Salmon Fire Update - July 18, 2026

Northwest Team 12 

Salmon Fire   

  July 18, 2026   

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

 

Total Resources: 48 engines; 38 crews; 53 heavy equipment; 25 water tenders; 5 helicopters; 1,382 personnel

Structural preparations are nearing completion in the communities of Granite and Greenhorn. The Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Incident Management Team (Green Team) and the remaining task force were demobilized yesterday as the threat to structures diminished on these fires and the OSFM teams were needed on other area fires. Wildland resources remain committed to protecting homes in the area and structural task forces can return if conditions warrant.

Firefighters, resources, and aircraft assisted with local initial attack fires again yesterday and remain available as needed for new starts today.

Salmon Fire: Size: 1,492 acres | Start Date: July 8, 2026 | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 15%

Firefighters have made very good progress on the fire with direct handline construction around the Greenhorn community. The fireline is plumbed and primed with hoselays and structure protections are in place. Around the head of the fire, hotshot crews put in a direct line working along the fire’s edge as other fire crews began cold trailing and mopping up into the wilderness. A masticator worked to clear the road to Dupratt Springs, improving indirect fire protection lines. A light helicopter was used to backhaul excess equipment no longer needed for suppression via sling load from a remote location on the fire yesterday. Recent cool and wet weather has helped firefighters make progress on containment lines.

Olive Butte Fire: Size: 2,809 acres | Start Date: July 8, 2026 | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 15%

The northwestern and northeastern flanks continue to be the most active parts of the fire, burning overnight and already increasing in activity this morning. The fire continues moving with areas of intense heat remaining as it burns in the Lost Boy Creek drainage. There are numerous hazards to firefighters as the fire is burning in steep rugged terrain with dense snags and limited egress in case of emergency. Firefighters have primary line prepared along the northern end of the fire near Granite and continue to scout for more direct options. Along the southern fire flank, two hotshot crews built direct fireline wrapping line around Olive Butte to help anchor the bottom of the fire. Firefighters are continuing to scout for access points and fireline locations in the Ruby Creek area while heavy equipment continues to improve roads for use as contingency lines. Structure protection remains the main priority on the western flank and keeping the fire from moving into areas around homes. Firefighters worked yesterday to finish setting structure protection measures at Freemont Power House and the surrounding area.

Weather and Smoke: It will be warmer and drier today, with temperatures 85-90 degrees and winds SW 8-10 mph, gusting to 15 mph. There is now 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/