U.S. Forest Service - Wallowa Whitman National Forest

U.S. Forest Service - Wallowa Whitman National Forest The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest sustainably manages 2.4 million acres of public land.

09/13/2026

September 13, 2026 - McCully Fire Operational Update

MCCULLY FIREINCIDENT UPDATESEPTEMBER 12, 2026Public Information: 541-712-8905 Hours: 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Email: 2026.mccully@f...
09/12/2026

MCCULLY FIRE
INCIDENT UPDATE
SEPTEMBER 12, 2026

Public Information: 541-712-8905
Hours: 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Email: [email protected] Facebook:
Acres Burned: 13,598
Containment: 65%
Start Date: 8/22/26 Personnel: 493
Fire Crews Focus on Repair
Operational Update:
Fire behavior is decreasing as fuels burn out during cooler temperatures. Infrared aerial monitoring continues to detect isolated heat within the interior of the fire footprint, indicating lingering smoldering in logs and stumps.
Crews are continuing chipping operations on the southern edge of the fire and along the 73 road. On the western edge crews are rehabilitating and repairing handline and dozer lines that were established during suppression operations. In collaboration with resource advisors, crews work to restore and stabilize slopes where soil had been disturbed, by moving brush and forest debris across bare soil, to prevent erosion. More equipment has been removed, including satellite repeaters, as the mission switches focus from control to repair operations.
Weather:
Cooler temperatures with increased southwest winds are forecasted for today. Showers are expected after 3 p.m. through Sunday morning, bringing snow to higher elevations.
Evacuations:
Baker and Grant County Sheriff’s Offices have Level 1, 2 and 3 evacuation orders. Evacuation levels remain dynamic. A searchable map showing evacuation areas is available at arcg.is/85OWX4.
Area Closures:
The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest has a temporary emergency closure in effect around the vicinity of McCully Fire. Closures may change rapidly, so please consult www.fs.usda.gov/r06/wallowa-whitman/alerts/mccully-fire-closure for the latest alerts.
Road Closures:
Roads closed in connection with McCully fire are available at tripcheck.com
InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orwwf-mccully-fire

09/12/2026

September 12, 2026 - McCully Fire Operational Update

Public Information: 541-712-8905Hours: 8 a.m.–8 p.m.Email: 2026.mccully@firenet.govFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Wa...
09/11/2026

Public Information: 541-712-8905
Hours: 8 a.m.–8 p.m.
Email: [email protected]
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/WallowaWhitmanNF
Acres Burned: 13,561
Containment: 61%
Start Date: 8/22/26
Personnel: 570
Firefighters focus on suppression repair details
Operational Update:
Activity on the McCully Fire continues to smolder in its current footprint, firefighters are working methodically to strengthen containment lines, repair fireline, and prepare the landscape ahead of incoming weather. Fire crews continue to reinforce containment along the steep terrain of the south and southwestern edge of the fire. Hotshot crews are securing and improving dozer line on the west side of the fire. Crews and chipper equipment continue suppression repair along the 52 and 73 Road corridors by clearing debris and chipping vegetation to improve future access to the roads. Repair work continues along the eastern flank with handcrews and excavators stabilizing disturbed soil, decommissioning unneeded line, and ensuring proper erosion control as fire activity decreases.

Despite the warmer weather, the fire activity has remained low, with smoke clearing in nearby valleys as interior fuels burn underground in stump holes. Infrared flights using both helicopters and unmanned aircraft systems continue to detect isolated pockets of heat, including within the northern finger of the fire. Fire crews remain watchful for possible torching caused by wind-driven embers within the perimeter.

Weather:
Today will be the last sunny day of warm temperatures before the next weather pattern. Rain showers, with the possibility of isolated thunderstorms are expected Saturday night into all day Sunday. Crews are anticipating the inclement weather and are ready to respond should any new starts arise.

Evacuations:
Baker and Grant County Sheriff’s Offices have Level 1, 2 and 3 evacuation orders. Evacuation levels remain dynamic. A searchable map showing evacuation areas is available at arcg.is/85OWX4.

Area Closures:
The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest has a temporary emergency closure in effect around the vicinity of McCully Fire. Closures may change rapidly, so please consult www.fs.usda.gov/r06/wallowa-whitman/alerts/mccully-fire-closure for the latest alerts.

Road Closures:
Roads closed in connection with McCully fire are available at tripcheck.com

InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orwwf-mccully-fire

09/11/2026

Spetember 11, 2026 - McCully Fire Operational Update

09/10/2026

EVACUATION ZONES REDUCED FURTHER THURSDAY ON MCCULLY FIRE

(From the Baker County Sheriff's Office)

McCully Fire evacuation levels have been REDUCED for both Grant and Baker counties.

BAKER COUNTY Evacuation Areas:
🟢Level 1 (BE READY): South of the Baker/Grant County Line and Summit Lake area, west of the 200 Road/Bourne, north of Snell Hollow/7395 Road, east of the Baker/Grant County line

GRANT COUNTY Evacuation Areas:
🔴Level 3 (GO NOW): South of the 73 Road, east of the North Fork John Day Wilderness Boundary, north of Mount Ireland, west of the Buckhorn Mine, Lead Lode Mine, Bull Creek, and a portion of Baldy Creek between the 73 Road and the confluence of Bull Creek and Baldy Creek

🟡Level 2 (BE SET): Western Zone: South and East of the 73 Road, west of the North Fork John Day Wilderness Boundary , north of Crane Creek

🟡Level 2 (BE SET): Eastern Zone: South and West of the North Fork John Day River, north of the Baker/Grant County line, east of the Buckhorn Mine, Lead Lode Mine, Bull Creek, and a portion of Baldy Creek between the 73 Road and the confluence of Bull Creek and Baldy Creek

🟢Level 1 (BE READY): North of Granite Creek, east of the 73 Road, south of Crane Creek, sest of the North Fork John Day Wilderness Boundary

🗺Interactive Map (Raptor):
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/de78333b0d2544f7a320142174aa20ae =layer_visibility:%7B%22widget_6-dataSource_2%22%3A%7B%22widget_6-dataSource_2-181d093b9af-layer-92-181d093ba2b-layer-97%22%3Afalse%2C%22widget_6-dataSource_2-181d093b9af-layer-92-181d093ba2a-layer-96%22%3Afalse%2C%22widget_6-dataSource_2-181d093b9af-layer-92-181d093ba2a-layer-94%22%3Afalse%2C%22widget_6-dataSource_2-181d093b9af-layer-92-181d093ba29-layer-93%22%3Afalse%7D%7D

⚠ROAD CLOSURES⚠
Temporary road closures are still in effect around the vicinity of the fire.

As evacuation orders and forest closures continue to reduce, crews are transitioning to suppression repair.

Please use caution along the 73 Road and watch for fire personnel conducting chipping operations. Slow down and follow all traffic control and safety instructions.

For the latest information on closures, visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/wallowa-whitman/alerts/mccully-fire-closure

Public Information: 541-712-8905Hours: 8 a.m.–8 p.m.Email: 2026.mccully@firenet.govFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Wa...
09/10/2026

Public Information: 541-712-8905
Hours: 8 a.m.–8 p.m.
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WallowaWhitmanNF
Acres Burned: 13,560
Containment: 59%
Start Date: August 22, 2026
Personnel: 562
Cause: Lightning
Firefighters Chip Away at Fire Containment
Operational Update:
As fire crews return from the lines, they are transitioning off the incident to begin their journey home. To maintain continuity and safety, the incident management team has begun adjusting personnel, suppression equipment, and tactics to match the changing complexity, workload, and threat level of the fire. Firefighters are back‑hauling equipment that is no longer required for active suppression—such as hoses, pumps, and other gear—and returning it to base camp for inspection, refurbishment, and redeployment as needed.

Days of successful direct suppressive attack combined with the last round of wetting rain have bolstered the containment lines along the fire’s edge. This stopped the forward movement of the fire, with infrared reconnaissance flights confirming that heat signatures are present but reduced. The fire continues to slowly consume fuels within the current perimeter, meaning smoke may be in the area.

Meanwhile, crews are continuing suppression repair work as well. Roads and fire lines that were prepped as containment lines are now being chipped. Chipping returns plant material to the ground, ensures soil protection and erosion control before winter weather sets in.

Weather:
Tonight, an incoming cold front will continue to challenge the recovering humidity of fuels in the area. The cold front can create unstable conditions for unpredictable winds that can stir up remaining fire.

Evacuations:
Baker and Grant County Sheriff’s Offices have Level 1, 2 and 3 evacuation orders. Evacuation levels remain dynamic. A searchable map showing evacuation areas is available at arcg.is/85OWX4.

Area Closures:
The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest has a temporary emergency closure in effect around the vicinity of McCully Fire. Closures may change rapidly, so please consult www.fs.usda.gov/r06/wallowa-whitman/alerts/mccully-fire-closure for the latest alerts.

Road Closures:
Roads closed in connection with McCully fire are available at tripcheck.com

InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orwwf-mccully-fire

09/10/2026

September 10, 2026 - McCully Fire Operations Update

MCCULLY FIRE UPDATEWednesday, September 9, 2026Quick FactsSize: 13,545 acres Start Date: August 22, 2026 Location: 22 mi...
09/09/2026

MCCULLY FIRE UPDATE
Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Quick Facts
Size: 13,545 acres
Start Date: August 22, 2026
Location: 22 miles NW of Baker City, OR
Containment: 59%
Personnel: 587
Cause: Lightning

In an effort to keep fire south of the 73 Road, firefighters are seeking out and suppressing hot spots along the North Fork John Day River. Meanwhile, crews continued direct and indirect line construction south towards completed line on the western perimeter. Where they complete control line, firefighters
will revisit these locations and improve them. Access to this area is continually improving through masticating and brushing operations along forest roads that lead into the fire area. Above the Baldy Creek Trail, crews are monitoring the perimeter for any heat that could threaten the line. Chipping operations to strengthen the 73 Road contingency is ongoing.

Along the southern perimeter, firefighters will extinguish remaining isolated pockets of heat, strengthen containment lines, remove fire-weakened trees, and chip vegetation remaining from suppression operations. Should newly-identified areas of heat be detected, crews will be ready to extinguish it. Contingency line construction is nearing completion north along Pole Creek Ridge and east above Deer Creek.
Helicopters and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are ready to be deployed across the fire area as needed to detect remaining heat signatures near the fire’s edge, assist with reconnaissance, provide transport, and deliver strategic water drops as conditions allow.

WEATHER and FIRE BEHAVIOR: Wednesday and Thursday are expected to be the hottest and driest days of the week, with daytime temperatures in the 70s and humidity in the 20-25% range; overnight humidities are expected to recover well. With this continued drying, finer fuels may become more
receptive to heat. Chances for visible flames and increasing fire acreage will increase as the drying trend persists.

EVACUATIONS: Baker and Grant County Sheriff’s Offices have Level 1, 2 and 3 evacuation orders.
Evacuation levels remain dynamic. A searchable map showing evacuation areas is available at
arcg.is/85OWX4.
AREA & ROAD CLOSURES: The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest has a temporary emergency closure
in effect around the vicinity of McCully Fire. Check the website for the latest information
www.fs.usda.gov/r06/wallowa-whitman/alerts/mccully-fire-closure. Roads closed in connection with
McCully fire are shown at tripcheck.com.
SMOKE: Visit fire.airnow.gov for current smoke information.
InciWeb: inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orwwf-mccully-fire
Facebook: facebook.com/WallowaWhitmanNF/
Fire Information Line: (541)712-8905
Email: [email protected]

Address

1550 Dewey Avenue
Baker City, OR
97814

Telephone

(541) 523-6391

Website

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