Paradise and Hagen Fires Update - August 24, 2026

 Paradise and Hagen Fires

Umatilla National Forest

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

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August 24, 2026

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

 

Fire	Size	Containment	Personnel
Hagen Fire	59,817 acres	19%	1,070
Paradise Fire	7,994 acres	0%	309

Key Messages

• What are strategic firing operations?
  • Strategic firing operations give firefighters more control over where and how a fire burns.
  • Crews carefully use low-intensity fire to burn vegetation ahead of the wildfire. This reduces the fuel available to wildfire and helps prevent a more severe, uncontrolled fire.
  • This work strengthens containment lines and creates safer conditions for firefighters and nearby communities.
  • You may see more smoke while this work is happening. That does not mean the wildfire is getting worse—it means firefighters are actively working to make the area safer.

CURRENT CONDITIONS AND Planned activities

Paradise Fire

The fire grew by 258 acres yesterday within proposed containment lines, posing no additional threat to the public or important natural resources and infrastructure, including Forest Service Roads 64 and 65; Mill Creek and the water intake; local utilities; and communication sites. Visible satellite heat near the Mill Creek drainage has been decreasing. Crews continued to patrol and mop up hot spots and identified areas for strategic firing operations to help protect the watershed. As firefighters conduct this work today, smoke may be visible, particularly along the fire’s southeastern edge. Crews will also continue mopping up persistent hot spots along the eastern edge.

Hagen Fire

The Hagen Fire also grew within proposed containment lines yesterday, increasing by 294 acres. This posed no threat to the public or important resources. Firefighters worked along the fire’s northern edge, including north of Hwy. 204, and continued to mop up and hold firelines in the south. On the northeastern side of the fire, fire activity remained low. Crews continued strategic firing operations to strengthen containment lines. Today, heavy equipment will continue building contingency line around Black Mountain and along Forest Service Road 31. On the southeastern side of the fire, crews will continue mopping up hot spots and may use strategic firing operations within existing firelines. They will also continue working north of Hwy. 204.

Weather and Fire Behavior

Temperatures will begin to rise today, with highs in the low 80s and lower humidity. Winds will be around 5-10 mph with gusts up to 20 mph. Fire activity is expected to remain moderate but may increase slightly as conditions become warmer and drier. Individual trees may torch, and some short-distance spotting is possible. Firefighters are also prepared to respond to any new fires that may start in the area.

 

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