August 13, 2026
Northern Rockies Team 6, Incident Commander Rich Cowger
Hagen Fire
Latest Intelligence
Location: 12 miles northwest of Elgin, OR
Size: 54,484 acres
Completion/Containment: 11%
966 personnel
Paradise Fire
Latest Intelligence
Location: 10 miles southeast of Walla Walla, WA
Size: 4,433 acres
Completion/Containment: 0%
316 personnel
Key Message – Chance of thunderstorms
The weather will shift Thursday and we expect to see a chance of thunderstorms in the late afternoon or evening. If the storms develop, they are expected to bring erratic winds with gusts up to 40 mph and a chance of lightning. This could cause unpredictable fire spread due to the unpredictable winds.
Paradise Fire –
Wednesday, firefighters saw active fire along Broken Ridge on the southwest side of the fire. Firefighters experienced uphill runs in the grass and slower backing down steep, treed slopes. With the fire activity, there was a sizeable plume, especially in the Walla Walla area. In partnership with local emergency managers, fire managers have set management action points (MAPs) - locations or fire activity which, when reached, will trigger a set of specific actions. While the fire is moving towards one of those MAPs on the south side, it has not reached it yet. Defensive firing was successful along FS Road 64 to create a buffer between the activity on Broken Ridge and the Wilderness. This activity will continue on Thursday. An unmanned aircraft system (UAS) was utilized along Mill Creek to find any lingering hot spots so they could be addressed by firefighters on the ground. A dozer line is in process in the Lewis Peak area to protect structures on the west side and help contain the fire.
Hagen Fire–
On Wednesday, firefighters saw erratic fire conditions with frequent changes in fire behavior and direction, which caused changes to the fire perimeter to the west, east and north of the fire. Firefighters began utilizing a Single Engine Air Tanker (SEAT) to drop retardant in the Tollgate area while continuing structure protection and completing defensive firing along Highway 204. Fire managers are working on shrinking their containment box by building dozer line closer to the fire above the North Fork of the Umatilla River. They have also identified a path for a hand-built fire line near Lick Creek. Night crews continued mopping up and looking for spot fires. A hot shot crew conducted overnight burning operations near the headwaters of Spring Creek. They will work with other crews on Thursday to mop up that operation and conduct other firing operations to remove unburned fuel between the fire and the indirect lines. The slop on the west side of the fire has proven to be especially challenging and firefighters have adjusted their plans to prepare existing roads to use as containment lines using heavy equipment.
Weather and Fire Behavior
A Monsoonal moisture pattern is expected to begin today with increased cloud cover and a chance of thunderstorms this afternoon into the evening. Relative humidity is expected to be higher 30-40% with northwest winds and a 10% chance of thunderstorms today. The chance of spot fires should decrease but intense runs are still possible, especially in grassy areas.
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
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