GOVT. CAMP, Ore. — The Grasshopper Fire burning near Mount Hood grew overnight and has reached Highway 35 “in several places,” forestry officials said.The fire is burning more than 54,200 acres and is now roughly 23% contained, according to a Saturday update from firefighters managing the Grasshopper Fire. It broke out July 23 and is thought to be lightning-caused.With Red Flag Warning in place for hot, dry, and windy conditions, firefighters say the weather is creating challenging conditions to get the fire contained.READ MORE | Oregon Air National Guard deploys to aid in Grasshopper Fire fightThe Oregon Department of Transportation closed a portion of Highway 35 between the Bennet Pass Snow Park, roughly four miles east of the Highway 26 intersection, and Baseline Road south of the Parkdale community.In a fire update Saturday, Operations Section Chief Anthony Rapoza said that lines around the southwestern part of the fire are holding, and they are “confident” about the eastern part of the fire.“To the very northwest of the incident, the fire continues to back down toward Highway 35,” Rapoza said. “[It’s] an understory burn, not being pushed by the wind.”He said crews have been doing some strategic burns and building bulldozer lines to keep the fire off of the highway.Other crews are working on creating some defensible space around structures near the Teacup Lake area.There are some Level 3 “GO NOW” evacuations in place. There’s a shelter set up at the Sherman County Fairgrounds in Moro for large animals.There’s also a closure un place on the Mt. Hood National Forest. You can check here for updates.
