Firefighters shift focus to Big Grass Fire as Hat Fire reaches 89% containment
By Mindy McKerrall on Thursday, July 30th, 2026 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News Eastern/Southeast Oregon Top Stories
MALHEUR COUNTY-Fire Crews in southeast Oregon and southwest Idaho continue full-suppression strategies against two major lightning-caused wildfires that ignited last week. While firefighters have made substantial progress on the Hat Fire, the massive Big Grass Fire continues to pose significant challenges across the region.
The Big Grass Fire, located 25 miles southwest of Jordan Valley, Oregon, has burned 301,572 acres and stands at 15% containment. Sparked by lightning on July 23, 2026, the blaze currently threatens 615 residential structures and 820 minor structures, though no injuries have been reported.
A total of 363 personnel—supported by 4 hand crews, 22 dozers, 46 engines, and 3 helicopters—are assigned to the incident. Extreme fire behavior and rapid spread west of Triangle Flat moderated yesterday, allowing crews to construct containment lines directly at the fire’s edge with crucial air support from water and retardant drops.
Crews today are working to improve lines on the northeast perimeter before shifting focus southeast along the Middle Fork of the Owyhee River.
Due to the fire’s activity, the Owyhee County Sheriff has implemented several emergency levels:
- Level 3 (GO): Issued 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 western portion of Mud Flat Road.
- Level 2 (SET): Issued for Silver City.
- Level 1 (READY): Issued for zones MAH-E063, MAH-E061, JOJ-E004, and JOJ-E003.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has temporarily closed access to the North Fork Campground along Juniper Mountain Road, as well as the surrounding area south of Trout Creek Road and Silver City Road extending to the Owyhee River and state lines.
East of Burns, Oregon, suppression efforts on the Hat Fire have yielded strong results. Located 40 miles east of Burns, the fire has consumed 44,122 acres since being ignited by lightning on July 24.
Containment on the Hat Fire has jumped to 89%. With 15 residential structures threatened and zero destroyed or injured, 169 personnel (along with 3 dozers, 9 engines, and 1 crew) are transitioning to mop-up operations. Firefighters are actively securing hotspots and monitoring smoldering pockets of vegetation within the perimeter. No residents have been evacuated.
Weather Outlook and Smoke Advisory
Hot and dry conditions paired with low relative humidity are forecasted to persist across southeast Oregon and southwest Idaho. Residents should expect persistent haze and degraded air quality due to widespread wildfire smoke. Real-time air quality updates can be tracked at airnow.gov.
