Crews expand structure protection as Grasshopper Fire activity increases near Shadybrook

Firefighters are prioritizing structural protection and building new containment lines as the Grasshopper Fire grew to 86,974 acres as of Friday morning. The lightning-caused blaze remains 20 percent contained with 1,771 personnel assigned to the incident.

Overnight, favorable weather allowed crews to conduct successful tactical firing operations along the fire's eastern edge. These operations were designed to connect unburned pockets with established control lines, creating a more methodical burn and reducing the risk of high-intensity fire spread later. Despite this progress, shifting winds contributed to increased fire activity near Tygh Creek and Friend Road on Thursday.

The Oregon State Fire Marshal Blue Incident Management Team is working alongside the Southern Area Blue Team and the Australia/New Zealand Incident Management Team 1 to coordinate a massive collaborative response. Structural task forces, supported by National Guard resources, are currently focused on the Shadybrook Road area. Out of an abundance of caution, these crews are expanding preparation work to homes further to the southeast of the fire as the blaze follows drainages running in that direction.

In the rugged southwest corner, where steep terrain has hampered traditional suppression, fire managers are planning tethered heavy equipment operations. These specialized maneuvers use secured cables to allow machinery to establish fire lines in areas conventional equipment cannot reach. Meanwhile, hotshot crews and dozers are partnering with members of local rangeland fire protection associations on the northeast corner to strengthen existing barriers.

A significant weather shift is forecast for Friday afternoon. Isolated thunderstorms are expected along the Cascade crest near Highway 35, bringing threats of lightning and erratic, gusty winds. While light to moderate rain is possible, instability remains high through Saturday, with temperatures expected to rise and humidity to drop as the weekend progresses.

Drivers are urged to use caution on Highway 35 due to ongoing hazard tree mitigation and the presence of emergency vehicles in the roadway. A temporary flight restriction is in effect, and officials warned that unauthorized drone flights will immediately ground all firefighting aircraft.

Evacuation notices remain in effect for portions of Wasco, Hood River, and Clackamas counties. An evacuation shelter is currently operating at The Dalles Middle School, located at 1100 East 12th St. in The Dalles.

Important Links and Resources:

• Evacuation Maps (Wasco and Hood River): perimetermap.com
• Evacuation Maps (Clackamas): clackamas.us/clackcoalerts
• Real-time Air Quality: fire.airnow.gov
• Smoke Outlook: outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/50aab846
• Road Conditions: tripcheck.com
• National Forest Closures: Mt. Hood National Forest Alerts
• Local Fire Restrictions: oregon.gov/odf