GRASSHOPPER

Rain slows fire spread as crews focus on mop-up and repair

The fire is burning in the Mt. Hood National Forest near Wamic, with smoldering and creeping confined to interior fuels in the Boulder Creek drainage and near Highway 35. Soaking rain significantly dampened fire activity across the footprint, allowing perimeter lines to hold securely while operations transition to mop-up and suppression repair. Heat persists in deep dead timber and unburned pockets, but direct threats to surrounding communities have lessened.

Evacuations and Closures

• As of September 7, Level 3 'Go Now', Level 2 'Be Set', and Level 1 'Be Ready' evacuation notices remain in place across designated zones in Wasco and Hood River counties.
• As of September 5, an emergency evacuation shelter is open for residents at The Dalles Middle School on East 12th Street in The Dalles.
• As of September 5, Mt. Hood National Forest reduced its emergency closure area, reopening Rock Creek Campground and Day Use Area, the Timberline Trail, and Tamanawas Falls Trail.
• As of September 5, a revised forest closure order remains in effect for designated areas, roads, and trails within the Barlow and Hood River Ranger Districts through December 31, 2026.
• As of September 7, a campfire ban and public fire restrictions remain in effect across Mt. Hood National Forest.
• As of September 6, motorists along the Mount Hood corridor and Highway 35 should watch for heavy incident traffic and transport equipment near the base camp at Mt. Hood Meadows.

Impact

Firefighters have begun removing protective wrap from structures as immediate threats subside, with no building damage or losses reported. Saturated soils, rolling rocks, and hazard trees created difficult footing in the steep Boulder Creek drainage, prompting crews to adjust tactics toward accessible roadways. Heavy equipment operations along Forest Road 44 are clearing drainage culverts and chipping slash to mitigate post-fire erosion.

Conditions and Outlook

A warming and drying trend will bring gustier west-northwest winds through midweek, which may cause sheltered interior pockets to dry out and produce visible smoke or isolated torching. Humidity will drop during the day with minimal chance of rain before winds moderate toward the weekend. Firefighters plan to continue systematic mop-up, hazard tree felling, and road repair across containment boundaries.

Cause and Context

Lightning ignited the fire on July 23 following summer storm activity north of Forest Road 4812 and west of Rocky Butte. Erosion control and culvert stabilization remain active priorities across steep drainages following the recent heavy rainfall.

Resources

• Grasshopper Fire InciWeb
• Wasco County Evacuation Map
• Mt. Hood National Forest Alerts & Closures
• Oregon Department of Forestry Fire Restrictions

Official updates current through September 8, 2026.