Oregon’s Largest Modern Wildfire Leaves Vast Hills Charred

Two graders are working on a fresh dirt road cut through blackened rangeland at Juniper Mountain as cleanup continues following the wildfire.

The lightning-caused fire started on July 23, about 25 miles southwest of Jordan Valley in Malheur County, Oregon, and Owyhee County, Idaho.

As of September 12, the fire had burned 578,637 acres and was 94% contained, with 185 personnel assigned to the incident.

The work at Juniper Mountain is part of mop-up operations rather than an active fire run. Charred sage and scattered dead trees cover the burned hills.

Evacuations tied to Big Grass and the adjacent Flint Fire were lifted on September 4.

The fire is the largest in modern Oregon history.