7 Fires to Watch in the Pacific Northwest, and What Recreation Plans to Cancel

BySam StitesJuly 26, 2023

An aerial view of the Flat Fire in Southern Oregon

Image: Courtesy Northwest Interagency Coordination Center

Several wildfires burning in Oregon and across the Pacific Northwest have forced evacuation orders for local residents and closures of recreation areas. Air quality advisories are also in effect for large swaths of the region.

As summer presses on, keeping an eye on the fire map is something of a civic duty: by staying clear of fire crews and evacuation routes, you're not making the scenario worse.

The Northwest Interagency Coordination Center maintains an interactive map. This screenshot was updated on July 26, 2023.

Image: Courtesy Northwest Interagency Coordination Center

This fire started Saturday, July 22, just off Highway 26 out between Mount Hood and the town of Warm Springs on Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Reservation land. It has burned approximately 1,250 acres of grass, brush, and timber. As of Wednesday morning, the fire is 50 percent contained with the cause still under investigation. It is threatening structures and has forced the closure of Highway 9 toward Simnasho and Kah-Nee-Tah. Recreation plans to reconsider: Those traveling east of Mount Hood should be cautious to stay out of the way of fire crews utilizing Highway 26 on the reservation near the area of the fire.

Across the Columbia River in Washington’s Klickitat County (about 20 miles east of Goldendale), this fire has grown exponentially since it began Friday, July 21. As of Wednesday morning, the fire was estimated at more than 59,800 acres burning in grass, brush, and timberland. It is exhibiting “extreme” behavior, destroying structures, and forcing evacuations for residents of Cleveland and Bickleton. The fire grew by nearly 4,000 acres in the past 24 hours, but crews have improved containment to 40 percent.Recreation plans to reconsider: Fishing or rafting soon? Keep an eye on smoke from the Newell Road Fire, which could be bothersome in the coming days to fishermen on the Columbia and John Day Rivers, and rafters on the Klickitat River.

The Bedrock Fire east of Eugene putting off a large amount of smoke

Image: Courtesy Northwest Interagency Coordination Center

Southeast of Eugene near the Fall Creek Reservoir, this fire is still zero percent contained. The 7,156-acre blaze began Saturday, July 22, and the cause has yet to be determined. Fire authorities are describing its behavior as “extreme,” ripping through nearly 3,000 acres of grassland and timber overnight. Closures of recreation sites and roads are in effect throughout the area, and the public is being asked to avoid Big Fall Creek Road specifically. Recreation plans to reconsider: If you planned to visit the Fall Creek Reservoir this week, you should take a rain check and avoid the area. Smoke from this fire is drifting eastward, causing poor air quality in the Central Oregon communities of La Pine, Bend, and Sisters, as well as in eastern Lane County and down south to Klamath and Lake Counties. Firefighting aircraft are using Lookout Point Reservoir (about 10 miles southeast of the fire near Lowell and Dexter) to scoop water in their suppression efforts, so consider moving aquatic activities away from the lake. The air quality in Oakridge was some of the worst in the state today, so keep an eye on smoke if you plan to be outdoors near there.

This human-caused blaze 14 miles southwest of Veneta (west of Eugene) is now 80 percent contained and exhibiting “minimal behavior” according to fire authorities. The 110-acre fire started on Tuesday, July 18, in steep, forested terrain on federal Bureau of Land Management land.

Recreation plans to reconsider: Air quality in the area is good, and this fire will likely not hinder outdoor plans in the Eugene area.

This fire sparked two miles southeast of the town of Agness on Saturday, July 15, and has grown quickly since. It is currently the largest wildfire in Oregon at over 24,329 acres and is 10 percent contained, with more than 1,500 firefighters battling the blaze. It has been determined to be caused by people at Oak Flat Campground, but is still under investigation. Level 2 “Be Ready” evacuation orders are in effect for Agness, Ilahee, and surrounding communities

Recreation plans to reconsider: The Illinois River is closed from Miami Bar Boat Ramp to the river mouth at the Rogue River. Many roads and trails in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest are also closed to recreation. Smoke from the fire is causing hazardous air quality in parts of Josephine (such as Grants Pass) and Jackson counties.

About 18 miles east of Klamath Falls, this fire began Saturday, July 22, and has burned 2,137 acres of timber and grassland. It is currently 27 percent contained with a line fully around the perimeter. It has destroyed homes in the area, and Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation orders are still in place for some residents in the area. The cause is still under investigation.

Recreation plans to reconsider: Hazardous air quality in Klamath and Lake counties could throw a wrench in plans to be outdoors for sensitive groups such as children, teens, seniors, and people with lung conditions such as asthma.

This blaze has burned 619 acres of grass and brush near the town of Fields in southeastern Oregon’s Harney County, about 90 miles south of Burns. Crews have it 80 percent contained with the fire dying down. Crews are in mop-up.Recreation plans to reconsider: Those headed to explore Steens Mountain or the Alvord Desert should be advised that smoke might persist for days to come.