35,000-Acre Wildfire Burns Near Mt. Hood Meadows, Evacuation Order Issued

Parts of Waco and Hood River Counties in Oregon, including Mt. Hood Meadows, are being evacuated as a result of the Grasshopper Fire.

The Elk Mountain zones, where the ski area is located, were upgraded to Level 3 (Go Now) evacuation status earlier this morning, August 4, 2026. The mountain was also closed on Monday, August 3, as smoke from both the Grasshopper fire and northwest winds blowing smoke down from fires in Washington State clouded the area.

The Grasshopper fire, which broke out on July 23 after a lightning strike, has burned nearly 35,000 acres as of August 4, despite 17% containment. Over the weekend, the fire set the historic Flag Point Lookout Fire tower on Flag Point Butte ablaze, destroying the landmark that had stood since 1924.

Only the eastern side of Mt Hood is currently under Level 3 evacuation. The northern and southern faces of the mountain are under Level 2 (Set) orders, and the west side of the mountain is at Level 1 (Ready), according to the Watch Duty app. Mt. Hood Meadows is reportedly in communication with the Forest Service and watching the weather.

The mountain asks that people please stay away from the area to allow fire personnel to work.

As of roughly 10 a.m. on Tuesday morning, PurpleAir was reporting the AQI in Government Camp, Oregon, at 392 and into the 400s near Rhododendron. A Red Flag Warning is in effect, and fire weather conditions are expected through the rest of the day.

The Grasshopper Fire is one of 32 wildfires burning across Oregon. The Round Butte Fire broke out on Saturday, just 2 miles east of the Bench Fire, near the Warm Springs Reservation. Luckily, firefighters have made significant progress on the Bench, Akawa Butte, and Rowe Creek Complex fires with 84%, 85%, and 60% containment, respectively.

Related: A Million Acres Burned: Wildfire Smoke and the Privilege of Fresh Air