Fire Information Phone: 541-970-7128 (8 am – 8 pm; voice only; texts will not be received)
Email: 2026.paradise@firenet.gov
Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/
AirNow: https://fire.airnow.gov
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61592064000400
August 1, 2026
Danger, Extreme Red Flag Warning
Weather and Fire Behavior: The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning and a “Particularly Dangerous Situation” alert for Saturday, August 1st. This is the highest level of alarm for potentially catastrophic fire weather conditions. Weather today will start with low relative humidity and windy conditions with gusts up to 40 mph that will become most powerful in the afternoon and last into the night. The combination of extremely dry fuels, dry and windy weather and steep terrain will lead to very rapid rates of spread, fire in the crowns of trees and long-range spotting.
Evacuation Levels: The Umatilla County Sheriff reminds the public that residents must remain extremely vigilant and proactively monitor surrounding fire activity. All evacuation notices should be followed for the protection of lives. If you are in a Level 3 Evacuation Zone, now is the time to leave.
Fire conditions can change rapidly. Evacuation levels have been elevated in areas of Umatilla County, Union County and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. See the advisories at https://www.umatillacounty.net/departments/sheriffs-office/emergency-management/emergency-advisories. Follow the Sheriff’s Office on Facebook for evacuation updates: https://www.facebook.com/UmatillaCountySheriff.
There are 1,142 fire personnel assigned to these fires, working out of bases in Walla Walla, Athena, and Elgin. Firefighters will be deployed through the night to address the results of the afternoon’s fire activity.
The Paradise Fire (979 acres) about 10 miles southeast of Walla Walla gained ground to the north yesterday, crossing Paradise Creek and establishing itself on Paradise Ridge. The fire is expected to make significant gains today in the Red Flag conditions. Firefighters are ready to engage the fire to limit its spread where safely possible.
The Hagen Fire (37,035 acres) about 9 miles southwest of Tollgate, Oregon and about 11 miles northwest of Elgin, Oregon is 8% contained. The western line along Rattlesnake Ridge and northern boundary on Bingham Road continue to hold. The fire is expected to make long distance gains today to the south and east in the Wilderness. Crews will work to reinforce containment and structure protection where they can safely engage. Firefighters will stage along Highway 204 to protect lives and property if the fire crosses the highway.
The Horse Ridge Fire (860 acres) is about 5 miles northeast of Meacham, Oregon. Additional firefighters will be assigned to the fire today to ensure the fire does not escape containment lines under fire weather conditions expected this afternoon.
Fire and Fuels Advisory: The Northwest Coordination Center’s Predictive Services has issued an advisory https://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/content/pdfs/Fuels_and_Fire_Behavior_Advisory_PNW_0728.pdf. This winter’s record low snowpack in the Northwest, along with recent drought conditions, has led to live and dead fuels curing significantly earlier than usual. Fire activity is already reflecting patterns normally seen much later in the fire season.
Smoke Outlook: For current smoke reports visit https://fire.airnow.gov. For detailed northeast Oregon air reports, visit https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/61e48530. For southeast Washington, visit https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/bb27fabc.
Fire Restrictions: The Umatilla National Forest has issued public use restrictions https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/umatilla/alerts/phase-c-public-use-restrictions prohibiting smoking, off-road travel, and chainsaw use across the entire national forest.
Umatilla National Forest Closures: Forest officials have issued the following Forest Closure Order, https://www.fs.usda.gov/sites/nfs/files/r06/umatilla/publication/alerts/06-14-06-26-09_Hagen-HorseRidgeFire_FullOrder.pdf for public safety and to facilitate firefighting operations. Areas included in the closure include Corporation Guard Station and Trailhead, North Fork Umatilla Trailhead, Umatilla Fork Day-Use Area and Campground, Buck Creek Cabin, and Buck Creek Trailhead.
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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