Firefighters entered Sunday with more ground secured around the Grasshopper Fire, but the large wildfire burning east of Mount Hood continues to affect communities, highways and public lands after expanding beyond 57,000 acres.
The lightning-caused fire started July 23 in the Mount Hood National Forest and was approximately 23 percent contained as of Sunday, August 9. The fire has grown substantially during the past week, increasing from approximately 30,700 acres on August 3 to more than 39,000 acres two days later before surpassing 57,000 acres this weekend.
Much of the current firefighting effort is concentrated along Oregon Highway 35, where crews have worked to keep the fire from gaining ground west of the highway. Firefighters cleared vegetation, strengthened control lines and conducted strategic firing operations along portions of the corridor before flames reached the highway in several locations.
Those lines were holding Sunday, with no established fire reported west of Highway 35. The highway remains closed through the affected area as crews continue working along the corridor.
Evacuation notices remain in effect around Mount Hood. Mt. Hood Meadows is under a Level 3 Go Now evacuation notice, while Government Camp and Timberline Lodge remain at Level 1 Get Ready. Residents and visitors in affected portions of Wasco, Hood River and Clackamas counties should continue monitoring local emergency notifications because evacuation boundaries can change as fire conditions develop.
The Grasshopper Fire has also forced extensive closures within the Mount Hood National Forest. Roads, trails and recreation areas within portions of the Barlow and Hood River ranger districts remain closed, restricting public access while firefighters and heavy equipment operate throughout the area.
The fire has already destroyed the historic Flag Point Lookout. Earlier fire activity also threatened the community of Friend, where structural firefighters were assigned to protect homes as the fire moved through surrounding forestland.
Oregon expanded its response July 29 when Gov. Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act, allowing additional structural firefighting resources to be mobilized through the state’s mutual-aid system. Oregon crews are working alongside federal firefighters and personnel and equipment brought in from other states, including California, Utah and Washington.
Smoke continues to be a concern throughout the region. Changing winds have carried smoke into communities surrounding Mount Hood and across portions of northern Oregon, with air quality varying depending on wind direction and fire activity.
People who are particularly sensitive to wildfire smoke, including children, older adults and those with heart or respiratory conditions, are advised to monitor local air-quality readings and reduce strenuous outdoor activity when smoke becomes heavy.
Weather conditions provided firefighters some assistance Sunday as cooler temperatures and higher humidity replaced some of the hotter and drier conditions that contributed to earlier fire growth. Wind continued to influence activity along portions of the northern perimeter, although established containment lines largely held.
The Grasshopper Fire remains active, with approximately three-quarters of its perimeter still not classified as contained. Crews continue strengthening existing lines, securing the Highway 35 corridor and working additional sections of the perimeter while evacuation notices, forest closures and travel restrictions remain in effect.
More than two weeks after lightning ignited the fire, the Grasshopper Fire remains a major wildfire operation in northern Oregon, with more than 57,000 acres inside its perimeter and firefighting resources continuing work across the Mount Hood area.