Powder River, Bob Creek & Fox Fires Update for Thursday, August 9, 2026
By Garrett Christensen on Sunday, August 9th, 2026 in Northeastern Oregon News Northeastern Oregon Top Stories
BAKER COUNTY — (Update Southwest Complex Incident Management Team 3) SWCIMT3 Prepares to Transfer Command of the Fox and Powder River Fires to SWCIMT1
Daily Update for Fox and Powder River Fires: August 9, 2026
Southwest Complex Incident Management Team 3 is preparing to transfer command of the Fox and Powder River Fires to Southwest Complex Incident Management Team 1, which is currently managing the Tartar Fire. This will be the last update from Southwest Complex Incident Management Team 3.
Southwest Complex Incident Management Team 3 would like to thank the local communities in the fire areas; we appreciate your support.
Fox Fire
Acres: 79,003 Containment: 63% Start Date: July 23, 2026 Location: 12 miles northeast of Huntington, Oregon Cause: Undetermined Fuels: Grass and Timber Personnel: 286
Yesterday, crews installed hose lines along bulldozer lines east of Sugarloaf Mountain. Firefighters mopped up along Lookout Mountain Road. Some resources are being released to support other incidents.
Firefighters will continue to connect containment lines and mop up the fire’s edge along Connor Creek and near Forsea River Ranch. They will continue to mop up along Lookout Mountain Road and extinguish pockets of heat in the Fox Spur Road area. Crews will continue to patrol the Snake River Road and I-84.
Powder River Fire
Acres: 21,088 Containment: 96% Start Date: July 16, 2026 Location: Approximately 5 miles west of Richland, Oregon Cause: Undetermined Fuels: Grass, Sage, Timber Personnel: 54
Yesterday, crews continued to patrol the Powder River Fire. Today, engine crews will continue to patrol the fire’s edge.
Evacuations: Evacuation levels for the Fox and Powder River are being reevaluated. The public is urged to follow directions from the Baker County Sheriff’s Office. More at: https://arcg.is/0iKuO91.
Safety & Closures: The Bureau of Land Management has issued a closure for lands west of the Snake River. Recreational boaters are urged to stay clear of aircraft using the Snake River to refill their buckets. Temporary flight restrictions are in place over the fire areas.
Smoke: Multiple smoke outlooks are being reported for the area. To find yours visit: https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook.
Weather: Temperatures are expected to be in the lower 90s, with slightly higher humidity values. Northwest winds of 10 mph are expected over the fire area, with gusts of 20 mph.
BLM Fire Restrictions: https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2026-07/orwa-fpo-val-070626.pdf
