Crews extend Anthony Fire lines in Baker County
By Dan Thesman on Sunday, July 19th, 2026 in Northeastern Oregon News Northeastern Oregon Top Stories
BAKER COUNTY — Firefighters used strategic burnout operations to extend containment lines on the lightning-caused Anthony Fire in northeastern Oregon, officials reported Sunday, even as regional resource shortages impacted tracking efforts.
The fire, located 34 miles north of Baker City, has burned 1,983 acres and is 20% contained. A force of 641 personnel is assigned to the blaze, which ignited July 8.
Fire officials noted that a requested nighttime infrared mapping flight was canceled Saturday because aircraft were diverted to higher-priority blazes amid a surge of wildfire activity across the Pacific Northwest. Consequently, the official acreage remained unchanged despite active burning operations.
On Saturday, crews successfully ignited intentional fires along Forest Service Road 65 and the fire’s northeast edge to consume unburned vegetation and link existing control lines. Firefighters worked through the night to monitor these lines and extinguish hot spots.
On Sunday, crews plan to duplicate those strategic burning operations to secure the northern perimeter. Firefighters are also installing hose lays on the western flank, clearing vegetation for a contingency fuel break to the south, and mopping up hot spots on the eastern edge.
Hot, dry, and highly unstable weather conditions are expected Sunday, with temperatures forecast between 78 and 85 degrees.
Evacuation orders ranging from Level 1 “get ready” to Level 3 “go now” remain active through the Baker County Sheriff’s Office. An expanded emergency area closure is in effect across the Malheur, Umatilla, and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests. Command of the incident will transition to Northwest Team 13 on Monday morning.
