Oregon has already seen more acres burn in 2026 than in all of 2025, and fire officials warn there’s still a lot of wildfire season to get through.
A series of lightning storms across Oregon has left a trail of wildfires, forcing people from their homes as firefighters and communities race to contain them.
About 1.7 million acres have burned so far — more than four times last year’s total — and it’s still July. The modern record for the most acres burned in Oregon during a single wildfire season is 1.93 million, set in 2024.
Oregon Department of Forestry’s Public Information Officer Jessica Neuhjahr says more than 12,000 people are working to contain fires.
“It’s really rare to see this many acres burn this early and we still have August and September left,” she said.
For communities in Oregon, this wildfire season is bringing new challenges and uncertainty. At least 30 large fires remain uncontained.
One fire that started last week, the Grasshopper Fire burning just east of Mount Hood, ballooned on Tuesday afternoon, triggering evacuations in Wasco County.
Firefighters there are focused on protecting homes in the towns of Pine Hollow and Wamic.
U.S. Forest Service spokesperson Mary Ellen Fitzgerald said strong winds have been challenging.
“We have incredibly dry fuel conditions,” she said. “And it’s always dry here, but now it’s exceptionally dry — and it’s drying exceptionally early in the season.”
The Grasshopper Fire grew to more than 18,000 acres by Wednesday morning, with zero containment.
The Emergency Conflagration Act was invoked by the Oregon State Fire Marshal for the Grasshopper Fire Wednesday, assigning additional resources from outside the state to help.
At least 24,000 people in Oregon are under some level of evacuation order. Forecasters expect another round of lightning storms later this week in the northeastern part of the state.
Oregon secures federal funding for some wildfires
Federal funding aimed at helping Oregon’s wildfire suppression efforts for the Lower Dry Creek, Akawa Butte and Grasshopper fires is on its way.
That’s according to an announcement by Gov. Tina Kotek Wednesday morning, saying the state secured the three grants this month. The Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAGs) will pay up to 75% of a state’s eligible firefighting costs for fires that threaten to become major disasters, according to a press release.
“Putting everything we have into first response is absolutely mission-critical right now,” Kotek said. “Firefighting partnerships across all levels of government continue to demonstrate success. Securing these additional federal resources will ensure continued support for the courageous and tireless work of our firefighters on the ground.”
In a letter Tuesday, Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden called out the Federal Emergency Management Agency and demanded answers for declining the state’s request to approve grants for the Rowe Creek Fire Complex and the East Evans Creek Fire.
The state has 30 days to appeal these denials. The governor’s office says the state is considering next steps.
Air quality advisory extended
Relentless smoke from wildfires burning across the state continues to impact communities, including those in Eastern and Central Oregon.
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued an air quality advisory Wednesday for Baker, Crook, Hood River, Jefferson, Northern Malheur, Union, Wallowa and Wasco counties due to smoke in the area.
DEA warns wildfire smoke can irritate the eyes and lungs. People in the affected areas are urged to avoid strenuous outdoor activity —and stay indoors, keeping windows and doors closed, if possible.
Intermittent smoke is also expected in Gilliam, Grant, Harney and southern Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla and Wheeler counties.
Officials recommend checking smoke levels as conditions could change depending on the weather. People seeking shelter from the smoke can visit 211info.org and search for “Wildfire Related Clean Air Shelters.”
This story comes to you from the Northwest News Network, a collaboration between public media organizations in Oregon and Washington.