Little Bear Fire ignited by motorhome updated to 63 acres
By Logan Bagett on Wednesday, August 12th, 2026 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
MT. VERNON – (UPDATE 8/12): WildCAD has updated the Little Bear Fire north of Mt. Vernon to 63 acres with no containment listed. The fire began near milepost 111 on Highway 395B, following a vehicle fire on the highway.
Grant County Emergency Management yesterday expanded the Level 1 “READY” advisory for areas to the north to include the Magone Lake Recreation Area. Crews continue to battle the blaze.
The driver of the motor home that caught fire informed our newsroom that the fire began in the transmission, and was fully involved before he had a chance to get underneath with a fire extinguisher. He lost his RV and valuable show truck, along with his phone and possessions in the blaze. Luckily, a Grant County community member gave the man a ride to a town he can rent a car and head home to Washington.
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PREVIOUS (8/11): An RV fire on Highway 395 yesterday sparked a wildfire, now called the Little Bear Fire.
At approximately 5:24 p.m. on August 10th, multiple emergency agencies responded to U.S. Highway 395B near milepost 111 for the report of a motorhome fire that was spreading to the surrounding grass and timber. Mt. Vernon Rural, John Day Fire, ODOT, USFS, ODF, Grant County Sheriff’s Office, John Day Interagency Dispatch and OTEC all assisted with the incident on the highway.
Oregon Department of Forestry John Day Unit Forester Dustin Gustaveson said ODF resources provided support from both the ground and the air.
The Little Bear Fire was last updated at 35 acres. A Level 1 evacuation zone has been issued near the blaze. Grant County Sheriff Todd McKinley sent photos to our newsroom and explained the incident occurred near the Magone Lake turnoff from the highway.
View the live map in the link below:
Find more on the evacuation zones in the story below:
