Paradise and Hagen Fire Updates for Aug 23, 2023

 Contact Information: 541-970-7128    2026.paradise@firenet.gov

PUBLIC SAFETY: Evacuation levels and road closures can change quickly. Please check official sources for the most current information.

Hagen Fire
59,559 acres
Containment: 19%
Personnel: 963

Paradise Fire
7,700 acres
Containment: 0%
Personnel: 321

Key Messages

• Highway 204. A pilot car is helping control traffic patterns along Hwy. 204. Please be especially mindful while driving in that area for public and firefighter safety.  
• Red Flag Warning Lifted. The Red Flag Warnings have been lifted over both fires today. Lower temperatures and higher humidity are expected to reduce fire activity.

CURRENT CONDITIONS AND Planned activities

Paradise Fire

The fire increased by 672 acres yesterday due to forecast winds under a Red Flag Warning, which expired last night. Firefighters, supported by aviation, were able to hold firelines around the fire’s perimeter near significant natural resources and infrastructure, including Forest Service Roads 64 and 65; Mill Creek and the water intake; local utilities; and communication sites. Crews created a second dozer line in the Forest Service Road 65 area to improve containment of spot fires. Today, personnel will continue to patrol and mop up persistent hot spots, as well as look into potential strategic firing operations to minimize fire severity to help protect the watershed, especially since they are operating on slopes of 60% or greater within the highest suppression difficulty category.

Hagen Fire

The fire increased by 452 acres yesterday. Firefighters worked hard yesterday to hold containment lines during significant winds and thunderstorms. Some resources provided support to the Oregon Department of Forestry when a new fire started in the area. Forest Service Road 31 also remained a priority, as well as other areas southeast of the fire. Today firefighters plan to mop up and patrol containment lines and hot spots with support from aviation assets as needed.

Additional Information:

Some resources provided support to the Oregon Department of Forestry and the Umatilla National Forest when two new fires started in the area. Forest Service Road 31 also remained a priority, as well as other areas southeast of the fire.

Weather and Fire Behavior

Lower temperatures and increased humidity are forecast for today, which will keep fire conditions from reaching critical levels. Fire spread is still possible, but spotting and general intensity will lessen. A warming and drying trend is expected to begin again on Monday, allowing for potential fire spread, especially in unburned pockets within the fires’ footprint.

Paradise and Hagen Fires

IMPORTANT - INFORMATION AND CONDITIONS CAN CHANGE RAPIDLY
Conditions can change rapidly. Evacuation levels and road closures are frequently adjusted.

EVACUATIONS	Umatilla County, Union County and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation https://www.facebook.com/UmatillaCountySheriff On Facebook at @Umatilla County Sheriff's Office @Union County Sheriff’s Office @Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
	Columbia County Emergency Management https://www.columbiaco.com/67/Emergency-Alert
	Umatilla County Emergency Management https://umatillacounty.net/departments/sheriffs-office/emergency-management/emergency-advisories
	Union County Emergency Management https://unioncountyor.gov/emergency-services/es-current-alerts
	Walla Walla County Emergency Management https://www.wwemd.info
CLOSURES	The Umatilla National Forest has issued closures for public safety and to support firefighting operations. Expanded closure order for the Hagen Fire https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/umatilla/alerts/hagen-fire-expanded-emergency-closure
	Hagen and Horse Ridge Fire Emergency Closure https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/umatilla/alerts/hagen-and-horse-ridge-fire-emergency-closure
	Paradise Fire Emergency Closure https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/umatilla/alerts/paradise-fire-emergency-closure
ROAD CLOSURES	Oregon Department of Transportation TripCheck        https://tripcheck.com/
FIRE RESTRICTIONS	The Umatilla National Forest has issued public use restrictions for smoking, off-road travel and chainsaw use across the entire national forest. Public use restrictions https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/umatilla/alerts/phase-c-public-use-restrictions
SMOKE	For current smoke reports, use the linked resources. AirNow Fire and Smoke Map       https://fire.airnow.gov
	Detailed Northeast Oregon Air Reports https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/61e48530
	Detailed Southeast Washington Air Reports https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/bb27fabc
TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS	If you fly, we can't. If a drone is near a fire, aircraft are grounded until responders can be sure the drone is clear of the area. Know Before You Fly        http://knowbeforeyoufly.org