Grasshopper Fire Crews Gain Ground in Boulder Creek as Rain Enters Forecast
By Joshuah Albert
The Dalles, Ore., Aug. 28, 2026 — Firefighters gained ground on the stubborn southwest corner of the Grasshopper Fire Thursday as the 93,886-acre blaze continued to hold at 76% containment, while forecasters are now pointing to the possibility of rain by the middle of next week.
The southwest corner has been one of the most persistent areas of activity on the fire. On Thursday, flames slowly backed downhill through the Boulder Creek drainage toward a containment line that hand crews have spent several days constructing.
Fire officials said the movement was consistent with their containment strategy. Crews will continue focusing on the area in an effort to minimize additional growth.
The northwest and northern portions of the fire were relatively quiet Thursday, with most activity limited to pockets of unburned fuel inside the fire perimeter.
On the eastern side, crews and heavy equipment continued repairing areas damaged during suppression operations. Rehabilitation can include repairing dozer and hand lines and taking steps to reduce erosion and other impacts caused during firefighting.
The Grasshopper Fire grew by 92 acres since Tuesday, when it was reported at 93,794 acres. Containment remains at 76%.
The number of personnel assigned to the fire has continued to decline, falling to 809 Friday from 1,013 Tuesday and 1,116 Monday as work shifts from active suppression in secured portions of the fire to mop-up and rehabilitation.
Most resources previously based at the Tygh Valley fire camp were transferred Thursday to Mt. Hood Meadows, putting firefighters closer to the most active portions of the fire and simplifying camp logistics.
Smoke conditions improve
Fire officials described the upcoming weather pattern as a "yo-yo," with cooler conditions Saturday followed by warming Sunday. Incident meteorologists are also forecasting the possibility of up to a quarter-inch of rain by Wednesday.
The National Weather Service forecast supports the changing weather pattern. NWS Pendleton expects breezy westerly winds through the weekend, with the strongest winds Saturday as a low-pressure system moves through the Pacific Northwest. Forecasters said elevated fire weather conditions are possible, although widespread Red Flag conditions are not currently expected.
In the eastern Columbia River Gorge, including The Dalles, temperatures are forecast to fall from the lower to mid-80s Friday to the lower to mid-70s Saturday. West winds Saturday are forecast at 20 to 30 mph. Temperatures begin rebounding Sunday and into early next week.
The possibility of precipitation becomes more significant Tuesday and Wednesday. NWS Pendleton currently gives the eastern Gorge a 20% chance of rain Wednesday, increasing to 40% Wednesday night. On the higher terrain around Mount Hood, the NWS Portland forecast is more bullish, calling for rain likely Wednesday.
Even modest rainfall could assist suppression efforts, but the amount and location of precipitation remain uncertain several days out.
Smoke conditions improve
Air quality has improved for most communities around the Grasshopper Fire. Pine Hollow could still experience periods of poorer air quality during the morning and early afternoon, according to fire officials.
Evacuation notices ranging from Level 1 "Be Ready" to Level 3 "Go" remain in portions of Hood River and Wasco counties.
A forest closure remains in effect on the Mt. Hood National Forest, along with fire restrictions on the forest and elsewhere in the region.
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