ORCHARD FIRE – FINAL UPDATE
October 1, 2026
The Orchard Fire is now 100% contained, and all assigned suppression resources have been released from the incident.
Following several days of suppression, firing operations, containment-line construction, mop-up, hazard mitigation, and patrol, crews have successfully secured the fire perimeter. Updated mapping places the fire at approximately 155 acres.
At this time, no firefighting crews are committed to the Orchard Fire. Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue (MCFR) and the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) will continue to monitor the fire area and respond if conditions require additional action.
Regional Partnerships Make the Difference
The successful response to the Orchard Fire demonstrates the importance of automatic aid, mutual aid, and regional partnerships throughout the Columbia Gorge.
Wildland fires can quickly exceed the capabilities of any single agency. The ability to rapidly bring together personnel, engines, water tenders, heavy equipment, hand crews, command staff, and specialized resources provides communities throughout the Gorge with a coordinated and scalable response when fires occur.
These established partnerships allow agencies to share resources, reinforce initial-attack operations, protect communities, and sustain firefighting efforts during extended incidents while continuing to maintain emergency response capabilities throughout the region.
MCFR and ODF would like to recognize and thank the firefighters, hand crews, equipment operators, dispatchers, investigators, cooperating agencies, mutual-aid and automatic-aid partners, and support personnel who contributed to the response.
We also thank residents and community members for their cooperation and support throughout the incident.
While smoke from larger interior fuels may occasionally remain visible, the fire perimeter is secure and the incident is 100% contained.
This will be the final scheduled public information update for the Orchard Fire unless conditions significantly change.
Orchard Fire Unified Command
Oregon Department of Forestry | Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue
Strong regional partnerships. Shared resources. One mission: protecting our communities.
September 30, 2026
The Orchard Fire remains under Unified Command with the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue (MCFR).
Crews patrolled and monitored the fire perimeter overnight, checking containment lines and addressing remaining hotspots. No additional fire growth occurred overnight. Updated mapping places the fire at approximately 155 acres.
Today, firefighters will continue strengthening and securing containment lines while conducting mop-up approximately 150 feet into the fire perimeter where terrain and conditions allow. Existing roads and mechanically constructed dozer lines make up most of the containment perimeter.
Some portions of the fire area contain steep slopes, rolling rock and debris, and hazardous trees, limiting how far crews can safely work into the burned area. Crews will focus their efforts where conditions allow safe and effective access.
Resources
* One 20-person hand crew
* Seven engines
* Overhead and command personnel
Firefighters will continue locating and extinguishing remaining hotspots, reinforcing containment lines, removing hazards as necessary, and monitoring for changes in fire behavior.
Fire investigators from ODF, MCFR, and the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) will continue their work today and are expected to complete the investigation.
Weather conditions remain favorable for suppression and mop-up operations, despite warmer temperatures and lighter winds.
Smoke may remain visible within the fire perimeter as larger fuels and isolated interior hotspots continue to smolder. This activity is expected during the mop-up phase and does not necessarily indicate fire growth outside established containment lines.
Because crews have made substantial progress, operational updates will be issued once daily beginning today.
Additional information will be released as conditions or operations change.
Orchard Fire Unified Command
Oregon Department of Forestry | Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue
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September 29, 2026
The Orchard Fire remains under Unified Command with the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue (MCFR).
Crews monitored the fire and patrolled along the perimeter throughout the night. No new fire growth occurred during the night shift, and the fire remains estimated at approximately 165 acres.
Today, firefighters will continue strengthening containment lines and conducting mop-up operations, working approximately 100–150 feet into the fire perimeter where terrain and conditions allow. Existing road systems and mechanically constructed dozer lines make up the majority of the containment perimeter.
Resources assigned to the fire for today’s day shift include:
* 6 engines
* 1 water tender
* 1 dozer
* 1 20-person hand crew
* Unified Command and overhead personnel
Crews will continue identifying and extinguishing hotspots, improving containment lines, removing hazards as needed, and securing the fire perimeter.
Fire investigators will also continue their investigation today into the fire’s origin and cause.
Weather conditions are expected to remain favorable for suppression operations, with cooler temperatures and winds of approximately 10–12 mph over the fire area. Firefighters will continue monitoring weather and fire behavior throughout the operational period.
Smoke may continue to be visible from within the fire perimeter as interior fuels and hotspots smolder during mop-up operations.
Additional information will be released as conditions or operations change.
Orchard Fire Unified Command
Oregon Department of Forestry | Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue