Grasshopper Fire surges past 63,000 acres as crews fight to hold northern flank
By Joshuah Albert
The Dalles, Ore., Aug. 10, 2026 — The Grasshopper Fire grew by more than 20,000 acres over the weekend, reaching 63,659 acres Monday, as firefighters concentrate on keeping the expanding northern edge south of Dufur Valley Road and west of High Prairie.
Containment remains at 23%, unchanged since Friday, while staffing has increased to 1,656 personnel.
The fire was listed at 43,244 acres Friday before jumping to 54,223 acres Saturday, 57,087 acres Sunday and 63,659 acres Monday. Much of the recent growth has occurred along the northern perimeter in the Fivemile Creek and Fifteenmile Creek areas.
Despite that growth, fire managers reported that established containment lines along the southern and eastern portions of the fire continue to hold.
Firefighters spent Sunday attempting to slow the northern advance while continuing to monitor containment along the Highway 35 corridor, where lines remained secure. The fire reached Highway 35 in several places over the weekend as firefighters worked to deliberately bring the fire toward the highway and establish the roadway as the western perimeter.
Officials said Sunday that the fire had not crossed Highway 35.
In the southwest, crews began direct suppression efforts Sunday in the Bennett Creek area. Firefighters are also preparing a network of contingency lines using Forest Road 4813 to the east, Wamic Road — Forest Road 48 — to the south and Forest Road 4911 toward Pocket Creek.
Those backup lines could become increasingly important if direct suppression efforts are unsuccessful.
On Monday, crews will continue strengthening containment and contingency lines around the incident. The primary objective on the northern perimeter remains keeping the fire south of Dufur Valley Road, also known as Forest Road 44, and west of High Prairie.
Firefighters will continue monitoring the southern and eastern portions of the incident while securing the Highway 35 corridor and working directly on the fire where conditions allow in the southwest.
Grasshopper Fire resources also assisted with initial attacks on three additional fires — the Narrows, Mitchell and Austin fires — southwest of the Grasshopper Fire on the Mt. Hood National Forest.
Weather remains a challenge
Better overnight humidity recovery was expected to moderate fire behavior Monday morning, but conditions are forecast to become warmer, drier and windier during the afternoon.
Minimum relative humidity is expected to fall to about 22%, with northwest winds gusting to 20 mph. Smoke will remain visible in communities east and southeast of the fire as prevailing winds carry smoke away from the incident.
The fire's rapid weekend growth occurred during several days of difficult weather. Red Flag conditions Saturday brought extremely dry fuels and strong winds, contributing to increased fire behavior. By Sunday, cooler temperatures and improved humidity provided some relief, although northwest winds continued pushing the northern edge.
Highway 35 remains closed
Highway 35 remains closed between Bennett Pass Sno-Park and Baseline Road, and motorists are being directed to use an alternate route. Check current Highway 35 conditions on TripCheck
Forest Road 44 south of Forest Road 17 also remains temporarily closed, with a detour available through Brooks Meadow to Highway 35.
A larger closure remains in effect on the Mt. Hood National Forest, and a Temporary Flight Restriction remains over the incident.
Evacuation notices, including Level 3 "Go Now" areas, remain in effect in Hood River and Wasco counties. Check current evacuation zones Clackamas County also has Level 1 "Ready" evacuation notices associated with the fire.
The South Wasco County High School evacuation shelter in Maupin remains closed. The Sherman County Fairgrounds in Moro continues to serve as a large-animal shelter.
Community meeting Tuesday in Dufur
Fire officials will hold a community meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, at Dufur School, where residents can receive the latest information about the fire and suppression efforts.
The meeting comes as the northern edge of the Grasshopper Fire increasingly becomes the focus of suppression efforts near the Dufur Valley and High Prairie areas.
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