Grasshopper Fire triggers Oregon’s 11th Conflagration Act declaration of 2026
By Griffin Beach on Thursday, July 30th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories
MAUPIN – The Emergency Conflagration Act was invoked Wednesday for the Grasshopper Fire in Wasco County.
The Oregon State Fire Marshal is mobilizing an incident management team and assigning task forces to protect communities and critical infrastructure. Three task forces were already mobilized Saturday through Immediate Response to protect Sportsman Park and Pine Hollow.
“Wildfires continue to challenge us and our wildland partners across the state. This weekend’s forecast is concerning with hot, dry, and windy conditions expected,” said State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple.
The fire, which was first reported last week north of Sportsman Park, has grown to 21,126 acres and is 0% contained. Level 3 “Go Now” evacuations are in effect for an area around the fire including Sportsman Park, Pine Hollow, and a portion of Hood River County. Level 1 “Be Ready” and Level 2 “Be Set” evacuations stretch to U.S. Highway 197 and Tygh Valley.
An emergency shelter has been established at South Wasco County High School in Maupin.
The state fire marshal has brough in resources from California, Utah, and Washington to help with Oregon’s wildfires. Firefighters from Utah have been assigned to the Grasshopper Fire.
This is the 11th time the Emergency Conflagration Act has been invoked in 2026.
Fire crews attend a briefing on the Grasshopper Fire Tuesday evening.
