Paradise and Hagen Fire Updates for Aug 18, 2026

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

Northern Rockies Team 6, Incident Commander Rich Cowger 

Hagen Fire
Latest Intelligence
Size: 57,678
Containment: 19%
Personnel: 957

Paradise Fire
Latest Intelligence
Size: 5,423 acres
Containment: 0%
Personnel: 349

Key Message

A new incident management team, Southern Area Team 3, is transitioning in to take command of the fire from Northern Rockies Team 6 on Wednesday, August 19th. An increase in fire activity is expected today as fire managers expect near critical fire weather.

CURRENT CONDITIONS AND Planned activities

Paradise Fire

Defensive firing continued in the southeast portion of the fire along FS Road 64, extending fire lines, creating depth, and staying ahead of the fire. Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS drones) will continue assisting ground resources in picking up heat signatures with infrared cameras, as crews take their time and safely stay ahead of the fire with burning operations. On the northern side of the fire, resources continue to monitor the fire’s edge, keeping the footprint minimal in the Mill Creek watershed. Chipping and mastication efforts continue around the fire perimeter, reducing fuel in critical portions of the fire.

Hagen Fire

The priority on the Hagen fire continues to be on the north central area, south of Highway 204. Monday, two hotshot crews finished building handline from Zig Zag Springs down to the North Fork of the Umatilla. They used defensive burning to remove fuels, reinforce lines, and keep the spread of the fire from moving north and west towards critical infrastructure. More defensive burning will continue in the southeast area of the fire, connecting the edges of burnt fingers, creating depth, and bringing the fire’s edge closer to control lines where mop-up is more beneficial. Mop-up continues across the fire perimeter, along with chipping vegetation with masticators and woodchippers, and prepping roadways to allow for more defensive burning. Yesterday afternoon, resources on the Hagen Fire responded to a new fire start west of Elgin, and assisted local resources in catching the ~26 acre start called the Phillips Creek Fire.

Weather and Fire Behavior

Warmer and drier conditions have replaced cooler and wetter conditions from the weekend, and fuels have begun to dry and become available for a longer burning period. Near critical fire weather is expected over the fire area with relative humidity 18-20% and wind gust around 20 mph. Expect increase in fire activity in the area. Fire managers and firefighters are preparing for the expected increase in fire behavior intensity and will move firefighting resources around to where the needs are most critical. 

EVACUATIONS

Evacuation Levels: 

Fire conditions can change rapidly. Evacuation levels and Road Closures are frequently adjusted. 

Umatilla County, Union County and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation 

County Emergency Management Websites:

Columbia County Emergency Management

Umatilla County Emergency Management 

Union County Emergency Management

Walla Walla County Emergency Management

Closures and Special Messages

Umatilla National Forest Closures: For public safety and to facilitate firefighting operations the following National Forest Closures have been issued. 

Hagen Fire: 

Expanded closure order for the Hagen Fire

Hagen and Horse Ridge Fire Emergency Closure

Paradise Fire: 

Paradise Fire Emergency Closure 

Road Closure Information: 

Oregon Department of Transportation Trip Check 

Fire Restrictions: The Umatilla National Forest has issued public use restrictions for smoking, off-road travel, and chainsaw use across the entire national forest.

Smoke Outlook: For current smoke reports visit https://fire.airnow.gov. 

Detailed Northeast Oregon Air Reports 

Detailed Southeast Washington Air Reports  

Air Space Restrictions: 

Temporary Flight Restrictions are in place over the wildfires. If you fly, we can’t. Every time a drone is spotted near the fire all aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of this area. http://knowbeforeyoufly.org