"The fire’s rapid expansion—nearly a fivefold increase in acreage over 20 days—combined with substantial resource deployment and escalating costs highlights its significant threat to the surrounding region."
The Paradise wildfire, located 18 miles east of Milton‑Freewater in Wallowa County, Oregon, was first discovered on July 16, 2026. By August 25, the fire had expanded to 8,213 acres with 0% containment, driven by active uphill runs, flanking, and backing behavior. Over the course of the month, the blaze grew steadily from 1,664 acres on August 6 to 8,213 acres on August 25, with personnel fluctuating between 295 and 375 firefighters. The incident remains a natural fire under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Forest Service, with estimated costs rising from $18.4 million on August 7 to $41.3 million on August 25. No evacuation orders or weather conditions are reported in the available data.
Official source description: 18 Miles E from Milton-Freewater, OR
Minimal; Creeping; Smoldering
Good air quality. Outdoor activity is generally safe near this incident.
Nearest reporting station: Walla Walla. Source: AirNow.gov (EPA).
Given the fire’s active status and lack of containment, residents in the vicinity should remain vigilant, follow any official advisories, and be prepared for potential evacuation if conditions worsen.
IRWIN ID: {C8034780-D588-48DA-8BC9-C6CED34CD8DF}
Discovered: Jul 16, 2026
Cause: Natural
Managing Agency: USFS
Est. Cost to Date: $51,746,797
Coordinates: 45.9981, -117.9743
Other wildfires that have recently been contained or dropped from official tracking in OR.
The Paradise Fire has burned 9,656 acres as of September 15, 2026.
As of the latest update, the Paradise Fire is 86% contained.
The official cause has been listed as: Natural.
The Paradise Fire is burning in Wallowa, OR.
Yes, as of the latest official update, the Paradise Fire remains active.
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