8-20 UPDATE: Hagen and Paradise fires
By Terry Murry on Thursday, August 20th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News Northeastern Oregon Top Stories
EASTERN OREGON & WASHINGTON – The incident management team for the Hagen and Paradise fires show no change in containment. The Hagen Fire is at 19 percent containment while the Paradise Fire is zero percent contained.
CURRENT CONDITIONS AND Planned activities
Paradise Fire
Fire remained active Wednesday in the Low Ridge Creek and Mill Creek drainages and will remain active again today. Aircraft were used in support of firefighting operations. Today, crews will continue building and improving fire line along Mill Creek and the water intake to protect critical infrastructure. Firefighters will continue to improve fire lines along the eastern and southern sections of the fire to assist with control efforts in the Low Ridge Creek area. To support control operations, firefighters will use drones, aviation, heavy equipment, and hand tools. Firefighters will also improve dozer and handline on the south and west sides. Aircraft will work to keep the fire from advancing into the Low Ridge Creek drainage near Forest Roads 64 and 65. Structure protection will remain in place.
Hagen Fire
The Hagen Fire held steady on Wednesday. Crews mopped up hot spots and strengthened fire line on the north, northeast and east sides, while aircraft helped firefighters contain a spot fire. Overnight, crews completed a strategic burnout along dozer line and began mop-up. Today, firefighters will improve fire line and mop up near Highway 204, work on persistent heat on the east side, and monitor unburned areas to the southeast. Crews will continue to monitor Forest Service Road 31 for any new heat detected. Heavy equipment continues thinning brush and small trees along the road’s shaded fuel break. Drivers should expect firefighters and equipment traffic in these areas.
Weather and Fire Behavior Today will bring critical fire weather. It will be hot, sunny and extremely dry, with afternoon highs in the 80s and 90s. Humidity may fall to 8 to 12%. Winds will be around 10 mph with gusts up to 20 mph. Clouds may move in from the southwest late this afternoon. Fire may remain active in the Low Ridge Creek and Mill Creek drainages, making short uphill runs and occasionally burning groups of trees. Heat on the Hagen Fire could flare up and test containment lines.
