Big Grass Fire update as of July 31, 2026
By Mindy McKerrall on Friday, July 31st, 2026 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
MALHEUR & OWYHEE COUNTIES-
Public Phone Line: 208-295-5503 7:00 AM-7:00 PM
Media Phone Line: 208-295-5494 7:00 AM-7:00 PM
Location: 25 miles SW of Jordan Valley, OR
Acres Burned: 304,237
Containment: 21%
Start Date: July 23, 2026
Cause: Lightning
Residential Structures Threatened: 615
Minor Structures Threatened: 820
Injuries: 1
Incident Email: 2026.biggrass@firenet.gov
Big Grass Fire Website: Big Grass Fire
Big Grass Fire Facebook: Big Grass & Hat Fire Updates
Big Grass YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BigGrassFireInformation2026
Personnel Assigned: 551
Hand Crews: 8
Dozers: 29
Engines: 71
Helicopters: 3
Water Tenders: 11
Special Announcement: Big Grass Fire Officials will host a community gathering Friday, July 31, 2026, at 7:00 PM at the Owyhee County Museum & Library, 17085 Basey Street, Murphy, ID, to provide an overview of the fire situation.
An aggressive full-suppression strategy is in place for the Big Grass Fire to protect communities, structures, critical infrastructure, and other valuable resources at risk. Efforts are focused on minimizing impacts on public, private, and state lands, as well as natural and cultural resources. This is being done in coordination with the local Rangeland Fire Protection Association (RFPA) and cooperating agencies.
Current Situation: Yesterday, the northeast perimeter, west of Triangle Flat, remained a high priority for firefighting resources. Dozers, hand crews, and engines continued their aggressive action to construct and improve containment lines at the fire’s edge. Their efforts were supported by water-dropping helicopters and air retardant drops, especially in steep and inaccessible areas.
Today, the primary focus continues to be on constructing and reinforcing containment lines west of Triangle Flat and south of Flint Creek Road in anticipation of a dry, cold weather front that will bring increased winds and low humidity.
As containment is achieved, resources will be shifted to the southeast perimeter near the Owyhee River to begin line construction. All other areas around the perimeter have limited fire activity and are being monitored.
Evacuations: The Owyhee County Sheriff has issued a Level 3 GO evacuation order for Triangle Reservoir, Pleasant Valley, South Mountain, Pleasant Valley Road to the City of Triangle, City of Triangle to the Triangle Reservoir, Flint Creek Road, Juniper Mountain Road, and the west portion of Mud Flat Road. A Level 2 SET status has been issued for Silver City. A Level1 READY has been issued for the following zones: MAH-E063, MAH-E061, JOJ-E004, and JOJ-E003.Please monitor the Owyhee County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page for changing conditions and updates.
BLM Area Closure: Access to the North Fork Campground along Juniper Mountain Road in Owyhee County is temporarily closed. The entire area south of Trout Creek Road and Silver City Road to the East Fork and Main Stem of the Owyhee River and from the Oregon border east to Highway 78 and Highway 51 is also temporarily closed. These closures are necessary to ensure the safety of both the public and firefighters involved in suppression efforts.
Weather and Air Quality: Good overnight recovery of relative humidity at lower elevations. Continued hot and dry today. A Fire Weather Watch has been issued for Saturday afternoon through Saturday evening, when a dry cold front is anticipated to bring stronger winds and low humidity to the area. Wildfire smoke will cause persistent haze and degraded air quality. For more information on Air Quality at your location, visit www.airnow.gov for real-time data.
Cooperating Agencies: Jordan Valley RFPA, Owyhee RFPA, Malheur County Sheriff’s Office, Owyhee County Sheriff’s Office, Owyhee County OEM, Idaho OEM, ODT, Idaho Power, Idaho Department of Lands.
