Salmon Fire Update - July 21, 2026

Northwest Team 12    

 Salmon Fire   

  July 21, 2026   

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

 

Total Resources: 44 engines; 37 crews; 51 heavy equipment; 33 water tenders; 5 helicopters; 1,365 personnel

Higher humidity and slightly cooler temperatures moderated fire behavior on both fires yesterday. Widespread smoke in the area subdued fire behavior by blocking direct sunlight, reducing the heating and drying of surface fuels. Fire resources remain prepared to assist with new fire starts in the area. Helicopters assisted with an initial attack fire yesterday, and fire managers flew a reconnaissance mission and observed only isolated smoke across both the Salmon and Olive Butte fires. As containment continues to increase, resources will be made available to respond to other priority fires.

Salmon Fire: Size: 1,439 acres | Start Date: July 8, 2026 | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 30%

Suppression efforts are largely focused on the wilderness area where hotshots are engaging the fire directly with hoselays and checkline. Near the wilderness boundary on the northern flank, some heat remains near the handline and firefighters continue to patrol for spot fires. Firefighters at the southern end of the fire will be gridding, moving in parallel lines searching for and extinguishing remaining pockets of heat near containment lines. Fire crews are clearing a few areas for emergency helicopter extraction in remote areas of the fire where crews are working. The fire continues to burn in areas with substantial fuel loading of closely spaced trees and deep duff layers of woody debris, and heavy equipment continues to reduce fuels to maintain feasible fireline locations.

Olive Butte Fire: Size: 2,987 acres | Start Date: July 8, 2026 | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 25%

Firefighters secured a spot fire from the previous night yesterday morning and continued to patrol for spot fires, especially on the northwestern flank of the fire. Fire crews detected another spot fire and quickly responded to line and secure it at less than a quarter-acre. Helicopters aided in securing these spot fires by dropping water, allowing firefighters to contain them and complete mop-up. Hotshot crews successfully completed handline directly along the fire’s edge down both sides of the Lost Boy Gulch drainage. Additional helicopters dropped water to slow the spread of the fire on the northern flank of the fire, allowing handcrews to construct direct handline anchored from FS Road 13. Fire crews will continue this handline construction today, progressing until they tie into dozer line along the northern perimeter. Structure protection measures are still in place and firefighters are completing quality control, checking and testing all the pumps, hose, and sprinklers for proper functioning.

Weather and Smoke: Temperatures are forecasted to be 85-90 degrees today with winds SW 4-8 mph in the morning, becoming NW 5-9 mph with gusts to 15 mph after 1 PM. 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. As the threat of the fire diminishes, evacuation levels may be reduced. Heavy equipment and fire vehicles are still working in these areas, so please drive with caution and be alert for unexpected fire traffic on narrow roads. 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/