Paradise and Hagen Fire Updates for Aug 22, 2026

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

Hagen Fire
59,107 acres
Containment: 19%
Personnel: 956

Paradise Fire
7,028 acres
Containment: 0%
Personnel: 311

Key Messages

• A Red Flag Warning is in Effect. Firefighters are prepared for strong winds today and incoming thunderstorms. Holding firelines will be the priority.  
• The Mill Creek watershed remains critical. Protecting its water intake and surrounding communities will be of upmost importance today.

CURRENT CONDITIONS AND Planned activities

Paradise Fire

The fire continued to spread yesterday with an increase of 283 acres. A Red Flag Warning has been issued today with high winds expected this afternoon ahead of incoming thunderstorms. Significant fire growth is expected. Firefighters will remain vigilant in protecting Mill Creek and the water intake, as well as local utilities and communication sites, and Forest Service Roads 64 and 65. Increased fire activity and weather may force crews to seek safety or engage fires in other areas later in the day as long-range spotting is possible, as well as new fire starts from lightning. Aircraft will continue to support ground operations. Structure protection remains vital and will stay in place again today.

Hagen Fire

The perimeter grew yesterday with an increase of 461 acres. Increased fire growth is expected today. Firefighters will work hard today to hold containment lines during significant winds and potential lightning. With significant weather and new starts possible, resources may be required to change tactics quickly. Forest Service Road 31 will remain a priority today, as well as other areas southeast of the fire. Aircraft will continue to support ground operations as much as possible given the weather forecast.

Weather and Fire Behavior

A Red Flag Warning has been issued across both fires today for high winds and thunderstorms. Today will start partly sunny with temperatures in the high 80s to low 90s. Showers and thunderstorms will start in the afternoon, peaking between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Winds will increase this afternoon to 14-18 mph with gusts potentially up to 40-50 mph in the afternoon, peaking between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. and continuing until midnight. Fire activity is expected to increase today as probability of ignition is extremely high. Torching trees near the fires’ perimeter could easily loft embers across containment lines. Other unburned interior areas are expected to continue to fill in.

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