Grasshopper Fire 34,659-acre Mount Hood

The Grasshopper Fire east of Mount Hood expanded rapidly this week, pushing evacuation orders to major recreation sites and prompting a broad federal closure across parts of the Mt. Hood National Forest. Oregon officials said on August 5 that the lightning-caused fire had reached 39,439 acres and was 20% contained, up from 34,659 acres and 19% containment reported earlier in the day. More than 1,320 personnel were assigned to the incident, according to the Oregon State Fire Marshal. The fire has become the closest major wildfire threat to the Portland area, according to KATU, as crews worked near Highway 35, Mt. Hood Meadows and the Mount Hood corridor. Statesman Journal reported on August 5 that Oregon had made the Grasshopper Fire its highest-priority blaze during a dangerous statewide stretch of fire activity. (apps.oregon.gov) ### Why did the acreage jump from 34,659 to 39,439 acres? August 5 updates reflected two different official snapshots of the same fire day. Earlier reports cited the Grasshopper Fire at 34,659 acres and 19% containment, while a later Oregon State Fire Marshal update put the fire at 39,439 acres and 20% containment as it moved toward the Highway 35 corridor. (katu.com) The Oregon State Fire Marshal said firefighters increased containment even as the blaze grew, and KATU reported that fire activity remained intense near Mt. Hood Meadows. ### Which places around Mount Hood are under evacuation notices? Mt. Hood Meadows was placed under a Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation order on August 4, forcing the ski area to evacuate while crews worked to protect the property, KATU reported. (koin.com) Timberline Lodge was under a Level 1 notice, meaning people there should be ready for possible changes, and the lodge remained open despite smoke in the area. (apps.oregon.gov) Clackamas County also issued evacuation alerts for parts of eastern Clackamas County, and nearby Hood River and Wasco counties have had evacuation areas tied to the fire. The U.S. Forest Service said visitors should check county sheriff notices before heading into the forest. ### What parts of the forest are closed? (katu.com) The U.S. Forest Service said a closure expansion for the Grasshopper Fire took effect on August 4 across parts of the Barlow and Hood River ranger districts. The order bars entry onto closed forest lands, roads and trails in the fire area and is scheduled to remain in effect until December 31, 2026, unless it is updated or rescinded sooner. (opb.org) The closure affects recreation sites including Tamanawas Falls Trailhead, White River West Sno-Park, Polallie Campground, Sherwood Campground, Nottingham Campground, Bonney Crossing Campground and Badger Creek Trailhead, according to the Forest Service order. ### How did this fire start, and what has it already destroyed? (fs.usda.gov) The Grasshopper Fire was first reported at 7:41 p.m. on July 23, 2026, after lightning in the Mt. Hood National Forest, according to Forest Service and other incident reports. Coverage from Oregon outlets has consistently described it as lightning-caused. Flag Point Fire Lookout was destroyed on the night before August 1, the Mt. (fs.usda.gov) Hood National Forest said in a release. The Forest Service said firefighters spent three days clearing vegetation, removing trees and applying retardant around the structure before hazardous conditions made direct protection unsafe. (fs.usda.gov) ### What are crews doing next around Highway 35 and Mount Hood resorts? August 5 briefings said firefighters were building and reinforcing lines as the fire approached the Highway 35 corridor and areas near Mt. Hood Meadows. Oregon officials said containment improved to 20% even as the fire spread west and north. (fs.usda.gov) The next public milestones are likely to come through Oregon State Fire Marshal updates, county evacuation notices and Mt. Hood National Forest closure notices. The federal closure order now in place runs through December 31 unless officials lift or revise it earlier. (fs.usda.gov) (apps.oregon.gov)