SPRAGUE RIVER, Ore. (Aug. 9, 2026) — The Wrights Spring Fire has grown to an estimated 33,970 acres in the Fremont-Winema National Forest as firefighters continue working to slow the blaze amid extreme fire behavior, hot temperatures and dry conditions.
The fire was reported Aug. 5 about 2 miles west of Sprague River, south of Sprague River Highway and east of Chiloquin, between Forest Service Road 5817 and Road 22, also known as Switchback Road. The cause remains under investigation.
As of Sunday, the fire had no reported containment. A total of 434 personnel are assigned to the incident, with approximately 180 firefighters and support personnel, including hand crews, dozers and engines, actively engaged in suppression efforts.
The fire is burning through mixed conifer forests, including timber with grass and understory, closed timber litter and timber litter and understory. Fire officials reported extreme fire behavior, including crowning, short crown runs and long-range spotting.
The north and south sides of the fire remain particularly difficult for crews because of heavy timber, dense vegetation and rugged terrain.
Firefighters are conducting full-suppression operations, supported by helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft making water and retardant drops. Crews are also working overnight to limit further forward movement of the fire.
The fire is currently assigned to a Type 3 incident management team and is scheduled to transition to Northwest Team 8, a Complex Incident Management Team, at 9 a.m. Friday.
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek invoked the state’s Conflagration Act for the Wrights Spring Fire on Aug. 7. The declaration allows local government firefighting resources to be used for structure protection.
The Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Green Team assumed unified command at 4 p.m. Aug. 7 and has received delegations of authority from Klamath County and Klamath County Rural Fire Protection District No. 3.
The fire response also has been marked by a contracted operators death.
A dozer operator was fatally injured Aug. 6 while engaged in firefighting operations on the Wrights Spring Fire, according to the incident management team.
Fire officials expect active fire behavior to continue through the remainder of the current operational period, with continued spotting and torching. Afternoon winds and low humidity could support additional short-range spotting and moderate fire spread where winds, terrain and fuels align.
Fire activity is expected to decrease overnight as temperatures cool and humidity improves, although smoldering and isolated torching could continue.
Conditions are expected to become more active again during afternoon hours as temperatures rise and humidity falls. Gusty winds could contribute to localized flare-ups and increased rates of spread, particularly along slopes, drainages and areas with receptive fuels.
Hot and very dry conditions are expected to persist across the region through much of the coming week. While weather conditions are expected to gradually improve, very dry fuels, afternoon winds and poor to moderate overnight humidity recovery will continue to challenge firefighters.
Fire officials are also monitoring the potential for thunderstorms later in the forecast period. Lightning could create additional fire starts, while thunderstorm outflow winds could produce sudden and erratic changes in fire direction and spread.
The Wrights Spring Fire is burning in the Fremont-Winema National Forest near Sprague River, approximately east of Chiloquin.
EVACUATION NOTICES: (4:20P 8/9/26)
🔴 Level 3 – Go Now: FHZ-1166, FHZ-1581, FHZ-1582, KLA-1162, KLA-1163, KLA-1164, KLA-1165, KLA-1167, KLA-1168, KLA-1376, KLA-1381-A, KLA-1381-B, KLA-1396, KLA-1426, KLA-1556, KLA-1561, KLA-1566, KLA-1572, KLA-1706-A, KLA-1706-B, KLA-1711, KLA-1712-A, KLA-1712-B, KLA-1713-A, KLA-1713-B, KLA-1716, KLA-1717, KLA-1718, KLA-1719, KLA-1721, KLA-1722, KLA-1726, KLA-1727, KLA-1731, KLA-1957
🟡 Level 2 – Be Set: FHZ-1583, FHZ-1584-B, KLA-1156, KLA-1161, KLA-1171, KLA-1176, KLA-1386, KLA-1391, KLA-1401, KLA-1416, KLA-1421, KLA-1431, KLA-1472, KLA-1577, KLA-1707, KLA-1736-A, KLA-1737, KLA-1741, KLA-1956, KLA-1967, KLA-1968, KLA-1972, KLA-1976
🟢 Level 1 – Be Ready: FHZ-1228, FHZ-1229, FHZ-1584-A, FHZ-1585, KLA-1031, KLA-1181, KLA-1186, KLA-1191, KLA-1201, KLA-1361, KLA-1366, KLA-1371, KLA-1441, KLA-1446, KLA-1452, KLA-1471, KLA-1582, KLA-1586, KLA-1746, KLA-1751, KLA-1946, KLA-1951, KLA-1961, KLA-1966, KLA-1971, KLA-1981, KLA-2261, KLA-2291, KLA-2296
Discover more from Medford Alert News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
