Regional Industry & News

North Cayuse Fire (Vicinity of Cayuse Road, east of Pendleton)

Acreage - 4,887

Containment - 27%

Update (7/10/26 @ 11:00 a.m.)

The North Cayuse Fire is now 4,887 acres and 27% contained, per the North Cayuse Fire Information Facebook Page. Go there to find out more information about the firefight efforts, personnel, cost of fighting this fire, etc.

Update (7/9/26 @ 3:35 p.m.)

All evacuations have been lifted, per Umatilla County’s official evacuation map.

Update (7/8/26 @ 6:30 p.m.)

The North Cayuse Fire is now 4,887 acres and 15% contained, per the National Interagency Fire Center.

Update (7/8/26 @ 10:00 a.m.)

The North Cayuse Fire is holding steady at 4,663 acres and 12% contained, per ODF Northeast.

Update (7/8/26 @ 10:00 a.m.)

The North Cayuse Fire is holding steady at 4,663 acres and 12% contained, per ODF Northeast.

Update (7/7/26 @ 10:15 a.m.)

The North Cayuse Fire is now 4,663 acres and 12% contained, per ODF Northeast.

Original Story (7/6/26 @ 3:30 p.m.)

UMATILLA COUNTY, Ore. – Evacuation notices are in place for a growing fire east of Pendleton that is burning grass and timber in very hilly terrain.

According to dispatch records, at about 3:30 p.m. on July 4 firefighters were dispatched to a reported fire near Cayuse Road, several miles east of Pendleton. Firefighters arrived to find a two-acre grass and timber fire that was spreading fast through hilly terrain.

Firefighters called in additional crews, including water tenders and aerial firefighting assets, but the fire spread quickly and Level 3 (Go Now) evacuations were ordered for areas near the fire. Those evacuation orders were downgraded to Level 1 (Be Ready) notices later in the evening.

Level 1 evacuation notices are still in place for some areas south of Cayuse Road. Detailed evacuation maps can be found online. Residents in the area are urged to be aware of the danger, and make preparations to leave.

Officials with the Northeast Oregon District of the Oregon Department of Forestry said the fire is burning about 2,300 acres and is 12% contained. Firefighters are working to keep the fire from entering the Iskuulpa Creek area. Fire activity is being exacerbated by an abundance of fuel which has been pre-heated by ongoing fire activity, winds, and hot weather.

Officials said crews will be in the area for some time fighting the fire, and asked the public to avoid the area while firefighters work. McKay Reservoir is closed to the public to allow aircraft to scoop water for fire suppression. Officials reminded the public not to fly drones within five miles of the fire, as any unauthorized flights can shut down aerial firefighting operations.

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