Firefighting Plane Drops Fiery Red Retardant On Raging Oregon Wildfire

Aerial footage shows a white air tanker flying low over a steep mountain slope as it attacks the northern edge of the McCully Fire.

Red retardant already stains parts of the ridge before the aircraft releases a long, bright pink-red stream that falls onto timber and open ground.

Unburned forest and a small dark pond sit on the right side of the ridge as the plane climbs away, leaving the retardant column hanging in the air.

The McCully Fire started August 22, 2026, after lightning struck 22 miles northwest of Baker City on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest in the Elkhorn Mountains.

On August 25, air tankers dropped retardant on the northern edge of the fire.

By September 3, the fire had burned 13,479 acres and was 6 percent contained, with 1,005 personnel assigned.

Baker and Grant County sheriff’s offices held Level 1, 2 and 3 evacuation orders. Forest closures covered the fire area, including the Elkhorn Crest Trail.