Wasco County Eases Grasshopper Fire Evacuations as Heavy Rain Approaches
By Joshuah Albert
The Dalles, Ore., Sept. 1, 2026 — Fire activity remained relatively quiet on the 93,972-acre Grasshopper Fire Tuesday as Wasco County downgraded evacuation notices and firefighters prepared for a significant change in the weather that could bring substantial rain to the fire beginning Wednesday.
The fire remains 83% contained, unchanged from Monday, with 511 personnel assigned.
That staffing level continues a steep decline as firefighters complete major suppression operations and transition portions of the fire toward mop-up and repair. There were 622 personnel assigned Monday, 809 on Friday and 1,116 on Aug. 24.
Despite warmer and drier weather Monday, firefighters reported relatively little activity. Crews patrolled containment lines along the northern and eastern portions of the fire to make sure no spot fires had crossed established lines.
Elsewhere, excavators, chippers, dump trucks and logging equipment were being used to repair damage caused during weeks of firefighting.
Progress in Boulder Creek
The southwest corner remains a focus for firefighters, particularly around Boulder Creek.
Operations Section Chief Kevin Norton said crews have sprinkler systems established along the bottom of the Boulder Creek drainage and are allowing the fire to slowly back toward them.
As the fire approaches the sprinkler line, crews can mop it up, remove hazard trees and secure the edge.
Norton said crews are making “really, really good progress” in the southwest corner and conditions are looking good, although firefighters expect to remain there for several more days.
The Zigzag Hotshots, whose familiarity with the terrain has aided operations, are working to secure containment lines in the southwest. Firefighters are also constructing a contingency line outside the wilderness area, where terrain provides a safer and easier place to work.
Repair work is occurring across the fire, including fixing dozer lines, reopening roads, clearing hazard trees and dealing with logs cut during construction of containment lines.
Norton cautioned that the sheer size of the Grasshopper Fire means that work could continue for “several days, if not weeks.”
Wasco County evacuation levels lowered
The Wasco County Sheriff's Office has downgraded all Level 1 “Be Ready” and Level 2 “Be Set” evacuation notices associated with the fire, according to Tuesday's incident update.
Level 3 “Go” evacuation areas have not changed.
Rain arrives Wednesday
Tuesday marks a transition toward cooler and wetter weather, with westerly winds and a chance of thunderstorms around the fire.
The National Weather Service says an unusually strong series of early-September weather systems will move through the Pacific Northwest, bringing widespread rain, cooler temperatures, locally gusty winds and thunderstorm chances through the middle of the week.
NWS Portland's fire weather forecast calls for widespread rain Wednesday into Thursday, along with breezy southerly winds and a chance of thunderstorms. The agency also warns that prolonged moderate rainfall could increase the risk of debris flows in areas of high-severity wildfire burns.
Rainfall totals will vary considerably with elevation and location. The incident management team is forecasting as much as an inch of rain over portions of the Grasshopper Fire on Wednesday. NWS forecasts around a half-inch Wednesday in the Cascade foothills, with additional rain Wednesday night and Thursday.
Firefighters aren't counting on the rain until it arrives.
Norton said Tuesday that crews are preparing for whatever the fire might do despite the promising forecast.
“Some rain over a few days really won't put it out,” Norton said, adding that crews are “still planning for the long haul.”
Smoke remains a concern at Pine Hollow
Air quality is expected to be good Tuesday for communities north of the Grasshopper Fire. Maupin could experience some morning smoke.
Pine Hollow, however, is expected to experience unhealthy air quality for much of the day, according to fire officials.
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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