Salmon Fire Update - July 25, 2026

Total Resources: 35 engines; 24 crews; 27 heavy equipment; 33 water tenders; 5 helicopters; 945 personnel

Today is the second day in a row of critical fire weather, and firefighters remain alert for increased fire behavior with hot, dry, and windy conditions forecasted. Initial attack resources have been identified to rapidly pivot to any new fire starts if necessary.

Salmon Fire: Size: 1,425 acres | Start Date: July 8, 2026 | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 60% 

Firefighters continued to secure the fireline by extending mop-up farther into the fire’s interior. In areas with heavy fuel loading, crews diligently gridded to locate and extinguish lingering heat where fuels had not fully consumed, watching closely for smoldering that could flare up under unstable weather conditions. Firefighters patrolled for spot fires, locating one midday on the eastern fire flank. A heavy helicopter was quickly ordered to support suppression efforts with water drops while crews constructed fireline to contain the spot. Additional spot fires are expected with today’s weather, and firefighters will continue to patrol and quickly respond to any spot fires around the fire perimeter. The fire’s irregular shape and lack of clear edge in many areas requires additional time and focus to fully secure the fire perimeter. Fire crews will be expanding mop-up operations across all areas of the fire to further secure control lines. 

Olive Butte Fire: Size: 3,029 acres | Start Date: July 8, 2026 | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 60% 

Gusty winds and warm temperatures triggered flare-ups in pockets of unburned fuels within fire control lines yesterday. Heavy helicopters were critical in cooling hotspots in many areas of the fire, including on the northern perimeter and eastern fire flank near Beaver Meadows. Fire crews worked in conjunction with these helicopters to hold the fire within established firelines. Firefighters continue working with masticators on secondary firelines to ensure strategic back-up options should fire conditions rapidly change. Fire crews remain vigilant through mop-up and patrol work to hold the fire control lines while these hot, dry, and windy conditions persist, ready to quickly respond to increased fire behavior that could test firelines. 

Weather and Smoke: Temperatures today will be 83-88 degrees with winds SW 10-14 mph, gusting to 25-28 mph. The NE Oregon Daily Smoke Outlook at the Oregon Smoke Information page 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 change. Baker County Sheriff’s Office recently reduced evacuation levels for the Granite and Greenhorn communities. 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: The Salmon and Olive Butte Fire Area Closure and map 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: https://linktr.ee/2026.bluemountainfires