Salmon Fire Update - July 31, 2026

 Salmon Fire and Olive Butte Fire Daily Update July 31, 2026

Albuquerque Zone Team 3 IMT

Information Phone:  541-407-5475 (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)

Total Resources: 31 engines; 14 crews; 25 heavy equipment; 24 water tenders; 547 personnel

A Fire Weather Watch has been issued for the area for Saturday as temperatures continue to climb. Above normal temperatures continue a drying pattern making fuels very receptive to carry fire. Fire crews continue to make progress on creating depth to containment lines and have accomplished a lot of great work. Today’s increases to percent containment on both fires are a testament to all the hard work being done on the ground and in the air.

“As we find our rhythm, I ask folks to take some time today to think about the watch out situations, current weather conditions and expected conditions this weekend,” Incident Commander Lino Baca. 

Salmon Fire- Size: 1,426 acres | Start Date: July 8, 2026 | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 70% 

Fire crews were able to remove the protective wrap placed around some of the historic stone structures as part of the initial stages of suppression repairs occurring in those areas. These areas are within black zones and are no longer being directly threatened by the fire.  

Olive Butte Fire- Size: 3,082 acres | Start Date: July 8, 2026 | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 62%

Weather: Unseasonably hot and dry conditions are expected across both fire areas today, marking the highest temperatures seen all week. Winds will be light most of the day with an increase in the late-afternoon and evening with northwest gusts of 15 mph.

Smoke: 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: Stay up to date on evacuation orders by visiting the Baker County Sheriff’s Office  Facebook page. Conditions can change quickly. 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: See recent changes to the Salmon and Olive Butte Fire Area Closure and map. 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. Remember if you fly, we can’t.