By Sept. 21, the Grasshopper Fire near Mt. Hood was 98% contained after burning 93,971 acres. Smoke and evacuation orders forced Mt. Hood Meadows to end summer operations early, but the fire never reached or damaged the ski area.
A lightning strike started the fire nearly two months earlier, and it burned across Clackamas, Hood River and Wasco counties. Photos shared by Mt. Hood Meadows show smoke and flames around the resort and over Highway 35, which closed intermittently but was never crossed by the fire. A screenshot in the post showed an Air Quality Index reading of 500 at the ski area’s base early in the blaze. Some areas under Level 3 evacuation notices were reduced to Level 1.
Mt. Hood Meadows hosted a camp for crews working to contain the Grasshopper and Austin fires, with firefighters staying in the resort’s Main and Twilight lots and North Lodge for the past month. The ski area plans to open for winter on Dec. 4, 2026, conditions permitting.
