Salmon Fire Update - July 20, 2026

Northwest Team 12

Salmon Fire 

July 20, 2026  

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

Total Resources: 44 engines; 35 crews; 66 heavy equipment; 31 water tenders; 5 helicopters; 1,368 personnel

Conditions are expected to be hot and dry today with potential for active fire behavior including spotting and tree torching. Smoke is expected to linger in the area from fires burning to the west. 

Salmon Fire: Size: 1,441 acres | Start Date: July 8, 2026 | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 20% 

On the southern flank of the fire, firefighters continued mop-up operations using sprinklers and hoselays as they worked to strengthen and deepen existing control lines. A masticator completed work improving contingency lines along the ridge to Dupratt Springs. Hotshot crews completed a multi-day operation constructing handline around the northern fire perimeter. The hotshots then moved into the wilderness to install hoselays and portable pumps in the Salmon Creek drainage directly along the fire edge, mopping up as they progress to ensure the lines are secured. Warmer and drier conditions led an uptick in fire behavior yesterday, and firefighters used helicopter water drops to cool and slow a spot fire on the northeastern fire flank. Firefighters working on structural protection around Greenhorn are maintaining and adjusting water lines and sprinklers around homes and cabins. As this work is completed, excess resources are being released to return home to rest and refurbish or are reassigned to other area fires. Crews will continue to mop-up, hold, and improve control lines over the next several days.

Olive Butte Fire: Size: 3,022 acres | Start Date: July 8, 2026 | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 20% 

Warmer temperatures and lower humidity increased fire behavior on this fire as well, especially on the northwestern fire flank where areas of intense heat remain. A heavy helicopter assisted crews in holding the fire along FS Road 13, using water drops to reduce fire intensity and quickly secure a spot fire. The fire remained active last night, and firefighters overnight located and quickly lined and installed sprinklers around another spot fire in the northwestern corner. Although primary lines are in place along roads on the northern end of the fire, firefighters have been working to identify a more direct place to catch the fire higher up the hill to minimize the acres burned. Yesterday dozers began to construct direct fireline in that area and are working carefully to secure and anchor new control lines to the existing handline. Handcrews also began working near Lost Boy Gulch to install direct line closer to the fire’s edge. Firefighters assigned to structure protection are maintaining and testing hoselays and sprinkler systems in Granite and Fremont Powerhouse to ensure proper functioning. 

Weather and Smoke: Temperatures will be 85-90 degrees today with winds NW 5-9 mph with gusts to 15 mph after noon today. There is 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/