UPDATE: Old Emigrant Road wildfire at 45% containment – East Oregonian

UPDATE: Old Emigrant Road wildfire at 45% containment

Published 2:33 pm Wednesday, June 17, 2026

MISSION — Containment on the Old Emigrant Road wildfire a few miles south of Mission on the Umatilla Indian Reservation has reached 45%, as of 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 17.

The update, posted to the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Northeast Oregon District Facebook page, said the wildfire has burned 1,500 acres. J.B. Brock with the Northeast Oregon Interagency Type 3 Incident Management Team is the incident commander.

There are 150 personnel assigned to the fire, including two Type 1 hand crews, one Type 2 initial attack crew and one Type 2 hand crew, as well as 11 engines, four dozers and six water tenders.

ODF’s post noted publicly operated drones shut down fire suppression efforts on the fire Tuesday and reminded the public that a delay in suppression can mean fires grow larger and threaten additional lives, property and habitat. Supporting aircraft cannot fly with drones in the area. There is a temporary flight restriction order for five miles surrounding the fire.

The post said the fire on Wednesday is moving through grass and brush along with some forested areas.

“Firefighters have made strong progress, establishing direct and indirect dozer lines and hand lines around the fire’s perimeter,” the post said. “Today, crews will continue strengthening containment lines with support from heavy equipment.”

Level 1 “Be Ready” evacuations are in effect Wednesday after a “Go Now” evacuation in the area Tuesday evening. Watch Duty reported the order is for the area off milepost 8 on Old Emigrant Road to Deadman Pass on the north side of Interstate 84.

The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation on its Facebook page reported a search and rescue team was working Tuesday evening to ensure all domiciles were checked.

The tribes also urged anyone who the fire has affected and is in need of immediate assistance with essentials such as drinking water, emergency supplies or evacuation-related resources to contact the Department of Children and Family Services at 541-969-8413. These resources are available to support and help keep families safe.

Additionally, the Pendleton Mustangers at 73834 Mustang Lane along Mission Highway has room for horses. Call 541-377-9111 for details.

Watch Duty first reported the fire was 100 acres a little before 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 16. According to the state forestry department, the fire is a vegetation fire that consumed more than 450 acres by 3 p.m.

The tribes earlier in the day reported wind was driving the fire. The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for June 16 due to the heat, wind and low humidity, but its coverage did not include the area surrounding Mission.

The Northeast Oregon District with the Oregon Department of Forestry was initially in unified command on scene with the U.S. Wildland Fire Service and the Umatilla Tribal Fire Department. Resources from the Tri-County Mutual Aid also were responding.

“Due to wind gusts up to 30 mph and extremely dry fuels, this fire is growing rapidly,” said Justin Lauer, ODF Northeast Oregon District Forester. “Alongside our partners, ODF is working diligently to suppress the fire as quickly and safely as possible.”

The fire also has been reported as the cause of a power outage that affected more than 12,000 residents in La Grande early in Tuesday afternoon, according to Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative communications manager Shiraz Mukarram. OTEC has since restored power.

More to come.