Temporary Closure Around Salmon and Anthony Fires Expanded to Ensure Public Safety

 (July 14, 2026) –The Malheur, Umatilla, and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests have coordinated on an expansion of the temporary forest closure areas surrounding the Salmon, Olive Butte and Anthony Fires. This closure will encompass all three fires due to concerns for public safety and to facilitate firefighting operations in the area. The orders can be found on the three forests websites under alerts.

While it is early in the fire season, fire behavior is more in line with conditions normally seen in August. Officials are expecting critical fire weather and more lightning this week. These fires are occurring in areas of steep terrain with heavy fuel loading and exhibiting rapid growth with long range spotting ahead of the main fire. 

This expanded temporary closure was closely coordinated with community leadership including counties, law enforcement and fire leaders with Oregon Department of Forestry. Conditions will be monitored daily to assess closure area needs for public and firefighter safety. 

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.

The public is asked to avoid the area for everyone’s safety and to facilitate the firefighting efforts. 

For more information:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/malheur
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/umatilla
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/wallowa-whitman

Information for the Salmon Fire and Olive Butte Fire can be found at: 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SalmonFireOR2026/
InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orumf-salmon-fire
Phone: 541-407-5475
Email: 2026.salmon@firenet.gov

Information for the Anthony Fire can be found at: 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WallowaWhitmanNF
InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orwwf-anthony-fire
Phone: 509-509-6869
Email: 2026.anthony@firenet.gov

About the Forest Service: The Forest Service has, for more than 100 years, brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology — and rooted in communities — the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.

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