Major Wildfire Growth: Big Grass Fire Reaches 513,437 Acres in Owyhee County
- The Big Grass Fire, sparked by lightning, has grown to over 513,000 acres near the Oregon-Idaho border.
- New Level 3 "GO" evacuation orders have been issued for several Owyhee County areas as containment efforts continue at 39%.
The Big Grass Fire, a lightning-sparked wildfire burning approximately 25 miles southwest of Jordan Valley, Oregon, has significantly expanded, reaching 513,437 acres. As of the latest update, the blaze is 39% contained, though fire officials have reported four injuries related to the incident.
Since the fire began on July 23, 2026, the situation has escalated, leading to the evacuation of 159 people. Authorities report that 315 residential structures and 420 minor structures remain under threat.
The Owyhee County Sheriff has issued critical new evacuation orders:
* Level 3 "GO": Required for Big Springs Road and Battle Creek Road, extending north to those roads, east to Wickahoney, south to the Nevada border, and east to Riddle Ranch to Highway 51, including Riddle Ranches.
* Level 2 "SET": A standby notice is in place for an area extending 5 miles outside of the Level 3 zone.
Additional Level 3 "GO" evacuation orders persist for Antelope Ridge Road, Owyhee River Canyon (including Dickshooter), the 45 Ranch, Triangle Reservoir, Pleasant Valley, South Mountain, Flint Creek Road, Juniper Mountain Road, and portions of Mud Flat Road. Silver City currently remains under a Level 2 "SET" status.
Fire managers are employing an aggressive full-suppression strategy to protect local communities, critical infrastructure, and natural resources. This response is being coordinated through a collaborative effort involving the Rangeland Fire Protection Association and various cooperating agencies.