Grasshopper Fire nears 87,000 acres as crews expand structure protection southeast
By Joshuah Albert
The Dalles, Ore., Aug. 14, 2026 — Firefighters are expanding structure protection efforts southeast of the Grasshopper Fire after winds increased fire activity near the Tygh Creek headwaters, pushing the wildfire to 86,974 acres as crews brace for potentially unstable weather through the weekend.
The fire remains 20% contained, with 1,771 personnel assigned to the incident.
Fire activity increased Thursday afternoon near the Tygh Creek headwaters, about two miles northwest of Shadybrook Road. Airtankers established a northeast-to-southwest retardant line in an effort to slow the fire, while helicopters made rapid water drops in support of firefighters on the ground.
At one point, fire behavior forced crews to temporarily reposition for safety before they were able to reengage.
Because drainages in the area generally run southeast, structural protection crews are expanding preparations around homes in the Shadybrook area and farther southeast in case the fire moves in that direction.
Oregon State Fire Marshal Operations Section Chief Mark Corliss said Friday that 10 structural protection task forces will remain deployed across the fire during day, swing and night shifts.
National Guard personnel are also assisting firefighters with preparing homes around Shadybrook. Corliss said those preparations are precautionary so crews are positioned if the fire advances.
Firefighters are also moving farther east along Dufur Valley Road to prepare structures ahead of any potential change in fire behavior. Corliss emphasized that crews do not currently expect the fire to move toward Dufur but want protection measures in place should conditions change.
Firefighters catch run near Friend Road
Shifting winds also increased fire activity Thursday near Friend Road, but firefighters were able to catch the fire before it made significant additional growth.
Structural crews maintained an around-the-clock presence around homes in and ahead of fire-affected areas while continuing aggressive mop-up to prevent hot spots from rekindling.
Along the northeast corner, Hotshot crews, bulldozers and Rangeland Fire Protection Associations continued working together to suppress the fire and strengthen control lines. Those efforts include the Petersburg RFPA, whose members are providing local knowledge, personnel and equipment.
Overnight, firefighters conducted tactical firing operations along the eastern edge, intentionally burning pockets of vegetation between the wildfire and established control lines.
Officials said the operation was successful, allowing those fuels to burn under more controlled conditions rather than potentially burning later at greater intensity.
The eastern edge near the Tygh Creek headwaters remains one of the most active portions of the fire Friday.
Highway 35 corridor holding
Conditions remain considerably better along other portions of the sprawling fire.
Containment lines continue to hold across the southern perimeter, while firefighters are conducting extensive mop-up along Forest Road 4421, Logging Gulch and the Sportsman's Paradise area.
Along Highway 35, firefighters have successfully kept the fire east of the highway. Structural crews continue periodically checking the corridor even as conditions there improve.
Camp Baldwin also remains in good condition, according to Corliss. The fire is not currently advancing toward the camp, but firefighters have prepared the area and installed hose lines should conditions change.
Motorists traveling Highway 35 are being asked to slow down and watch for firefighters, heavy equipment and other emergency personnel. Hazard-tree removal work also continues along portions of the highway.
Heavy equipment tackles steep southwest terrain
Firefighters are preparing an unusual operation on the fire's southwest corner, where steep terrain has made conventional heavy-equipment operations difficult.
Crews plan to use tethered heavy equipment, securing machinery with cables so operators can safely work on steep slopes inaccessible to conventional equipment. The equipment will be used to establish fireline in otherwise difficult-to-reach terrain.
Elsewhere along the northern perimeter, firefighters will continue direct attack where possible while bulldozers improve existing control lines.
Aircraft remain assigned to the fire and will continue supporting ground operations with retardant and water where conditions allow.
Thunderstorms could bring erratic winds
Weather could complicate suppression operations Friday and through the weekend.
An isolated thunderstorm is possible Friday afternoon along the Cascade crest near Highway 35. Any storms could produce lightning, gusty and erratic winds and locally light to moderate rainfall.
Atmospheric instability is expected to remain high Saturday, bringing additional chances for isolated or scattered thunderstorms.
Temperatures are forecast to increase through the weekend while relative humidity decreases into Sunday and Monday. Breezy northwest winds are then expected to return late Monday and Tuesday, potentially increasing fire weather concerns again.
Evacuation notices ranging from Level 1 "Be Ready" through Level 3 "Go Now" remain in effect in portions of Wasco, Hood River and Clackamas counties. The evacuation shelter remains open at The Dalles Middle School, 1100 E. 12th St.
A closure remains in effect on portions of the Mt. Hood National Forest, and a Temporary Flight Restriction remains over the fire area.
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