Paradise and Hagen Fires Update - August 16, 2026

Northern Rockies Team 6, Incident Commander Rich Cowger

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

Hagen Fire                                                                                            
Latest Intelligence                                                                               
Size: 56,419                                                                                          
Containment: 14%                                                                                      
Personnel: 990                                                                                     

Paradise Fire
Latest Intelligence
Size: 5,195 acres
Containment: 0% 
Personnel: 336 

Key Message

Saturday’s thunderstorms provided some help and some hinderance to firefighting efforts. Paradise and the eastern part of the Hagen Fire received enough precipitation to be helpful while winds in the northern part of the Hagen fire led to significantly increased fire activity. Firefighting resources are scarce across the United States, so fire managers are being flexible, shifting resources around to meet needs and priorities.

Paradise Fire –

On Saturday, the Paradise Fire did receive enough moisture to keep fire activity moderate and hinder defensive burning activities. Fuels are expected to dry out over the next few days as hot, dry weather returns to the area. Fire slowly backed down to the confluence of Broken Creek and Mill Creek. Sunday, firefighters will build hand line below the Mill Creek Road and strengthen other holding features. They will work south along the FSR65, widening and improving it so that it can serve as a holding feature as the fire continues to move south.  

Hagen Fire–

The Hagen fire received a mix of precipitation amounts on Saturday. The east side of the fire received up to 0.7 inches of rain with almost half an inch falling in about 15 minutes. However, the north and western side of the fire received only hundredths of an inch of precipitation. The gusty outflow winds associated with this thunderstorm caused problems for firefighters along the North Fork of the Umatilla River. The fire began to spot up to a ½ mile out of the drainage up onto the flats. Planes dropped retardant to slow the spread and helicopters and scoopers helped with water drops. Sunday, firefighters will build indirect line from the Zig Zag Springs area to the Umatilla River trailhead in a continuing effort to shrink the containment box on this part of the fire.  Firefighters continue to mop up and secure the area along Highway 204 in the Spout Springs area and south. The lines in the southern area of the fire continue to be reinforced with defensive burning, masticating and mopping up. The old Meachum Creek Road and other dozer lines held on the slop on the western edge of the fire and crews will mop up this area over the next 48 hours.

Weather and Fire Behavior

Isolated showers from Saturday’s storms blanketed the fire area dropping varied amounts of rain or hail in some areas. The precipitation along with higher relative humidities provided some relief to firefighters keeping certain areas to creeping and smoldering fire activity. There is a 10% chance of thunderstorm activity expected for both Sunday and Monday during the afternoon and evening hours producing wind gusts up to 20 mph across higher elevations. Unstable air over the next few days could keep the fire activity elevated if the fire area is clear of smoke.

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