Mount Hood fires force evacuations, close ski areas

Mount Hood’s wildfire emergency is now disrupting both access on the mountain and daily life in Portland. The U.S. Forest Service said a closure tied to the Grasshopper Fire took effect on August 4 across parts of the Barlow and Hood River ranger districts, with county evacuation notices also in place. Oregon officials said wildfire smoke was degrading air quality, and regional media reported closures and cancellations across the Portland area on Wednesday. FOX Weather said smoke was also expected to haze several major Western national parks by Thursday. ### Which fire is driving the closures around Mount Hood? The Grasshopper Fire is the incident behind the current Mount Hood restrictions. Mt. Hood National Forest said its closure order covers lands, roads and trails within the fire area and became effective August 4, remaining in place until December 31 unless it is updated or rescinded. The agency said the order was issued for public health and safety. (fs.usda.gov) Clackamas County evacuation notices linked from the Forest Service alert date to July 25, 2026, and list recreation sites including Badger Lake Campground, Tamanawas Falls Trailhead, Polallie Campground and White River West Sno-Park. The Forest Service said visitors should check whether an area is under Level 3 “Go Now,” Level 2 “Be Set,” or Level 1 “Get Ready” before heading to the forest. (fs.usda.gov) ### Is the Pacific Crest Trail closed there? The Mount Hood closure order does not fully shut the Pacific Crest Trail through the area. The Forest Service alert says the closure boundary follows the Pacific Crest Trail in part, but also says the Pacific Crest Trail remains open to the public. The Forest Service’s Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail page directs hikers to the Pacific Crest Trail Association’s closure system for current trail-specific alerts. (fs.usda.gov) That distinction matters because some early coverage described broader trail disruptions. As of the Forest Service alert now posted online, the agency’s order closes specified forest lands, roads and trails in the fire area, while stating that the Pacific Crest Trail itself remains open. ### What is happening at Timberline Lodge and the ski areas? (fs.usda.gov) Timberline Lodge has been drawn into the fire zone’s precautionary measures. Oregon media reported on August 5 that Timberline Lodge was under a Level 1, or “be ready,” evacuation notice, while Mt. Hood Meadows was under a higher Level 3 order. (fs.usda.gov) Smoke has already affected operations on the mountain. Powder reported that Timberline’s ski area halted mountain biking and scenic sky rides on Wednesday because of smoke, while other local coverage reported closures affecting both Timberline and Meadows on August 5. ### Why is Portland seeing closures if the fire is on Mount Hood? Wildfire smoke has spread well beyond the burn area. (oregonlive.com) Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality said it monitors air quality and issues advisories when wildfire smoke degrades conditions, and directs residents to the Oregon Smoke Information page and OregonAir app for updates. Portland-area stations and local outlets reported smoke-related disruptions this week. (powder.com) KPTV and other Portland media said poor air quality forced event cancellations and facility closures across the metro area on Wednesday, after smoke from Oregon and Washington fires pushed into the region earlier in the week. (oregon.gov) ### How far is the smoke expected to spread? FOX Weather said on August 5 that wildfire smoke was expected by Thursday night to cover parts of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming and Montana, with portions of Colorado also under air quality alerts. The outlet said hazy skies were forecast for North Cascades, Mount Rainier, Crater Lake, Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks by 5 p.m. Mountain Time Thursday. (msn.com) Oregon DEQ said its air-quality data are preliminary and can change as conditions shift. For the next step, the Forest Service says visitors should check evacuation notices before traveling to Mount Hood, and DEQ says smoke updates are available through Oregon Smoke Information and the OregonAir app. (fs.usda.gov) (foxweather.com)