Wetting Rain Helps Push Grasshopper Fire to 84% Containment
The Dalles, Ore., Sept. 3, 2026 — Rain helped firefighters push containment of the Grasshopper Fire to 84% Thursday, calming fire activity across the nearly 94,000-acre blaze while also creating new hazards for crews working in steep, fire-damaged terrain.
The Grasshopper Fire was reported at 93,993 acres Thursday, an increase of 21 acres from Wednesday's 93,972 acres. Personnel remained relatively steady at 393, compared with 389 Wednesday.
Rain that began Wednesday delivered about a quarter-inch of precipitation to the eastern side of the fire and more than a half-inch across portions of the western side, according to fire officials.
Operations Section Chief Kevin Norton described the precipitation as “wetting rain” and said it was good news for firefighters.
The moisture helped calm fire activity and allowed crews to make additional containment progress, increasing the fire from 83% contained Wednesday to 84% Thursday.
But Norton cautioned against interpreting the rain as the end of the fire.
“Wetting rain over a couple of days won't put the fire out,” Norton said.
Fire will remain on the landscape, he said, with suppression and repair work continuing in the coming days and weeks.
Rain brings new hazards
While precipitation is helping firefighters suppress stubborn pockets of heat, it is also changing the hazards crews face.
Fire managers are emphasizing firefighter safety because burned and weakened trees could fall as soils become wet. Slick roads and falling rocks are also concerns, particularly for crews and heavy equipment working in steep terrain.
Wednesday's rain slowed some work as firefighters were kept out of potentially hazardous areas. Heavy equipment operators were still able to complete suppression repair work, including chipping material and moving slash piles, while crews continued patrolling the fire.
Crews will continue repair operations Thursday as long as conditions allow.
More rain expected
Sporadic rain and possible thunderstorms are expected Thursday, with fire officials forecasting around another quarter-inch of precipitation.
Winds are expected to be lighter than Wednesday.
The cool and wet weather is expected to continue Friday before conditions begin warming and drying over the weekend.
Despite the approaching change, the rainfall provides firefighters an opportunity to continue securing the massive fire after weeks of hot, dry weather and difficult firefighting conditions.
Air quality improves
The wetter weather is also helping clear smoke from communities surrounding the Grasshopper Fire.
Air quality is expected to be good Thursday for most communities around the fire, with conditions at Pine Hollow expected to improve by evening.
Evacuation notices 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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