SPRAGUE RIVER, Ore. (Aug. 12, 2026) — The Wrights Spring Fire has grown to 52,531 acres as firefighters continue working to slow the blaze burning in the Fremont-Winema National Forest east of Chiloquin.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the fire was 5% contained and had 761 personnel assigned to the incident, according to the latest fire status report.
The fire was first reported Aug. 5 about 2 miles west of Sprague River, south of Sprague River Highway and between Forest Service Road 5817 and Road 22, also known as Switchback Road. The fire is burning through mixed conifer forests and has been moving generally toward the northeast in the direction of Saddle Mountain.
Fire officials said the cause remains undetermined.
The fire continues to exhibit active behavior, including crowning, running and spotting. Hot, dry and breezy conditions have contributed to periods of extreme fire behavior, although a more stable weather pattern in recent days has tempered some of the most intense activity.
Firefighters have reported group torching, active running and flanking and backing surface fire, along with short- and mid-range spotting. Brush has been completely consumed across much of the fire area, and officials reported a 90% probability of ignition.
Low overnight humidity has also extended the period of active fire behavior into the evening hours.
Officials said fuels in the area are unusually dry for this time of year because of low snowpack and warmer-than-normal temperatures. Several recent temperature readings have reached levels at or above the 90th percentile, contributing to elevated fire danger across the Pacific Northwest.
The fire is burning through timber, grass and understory, as well as closed timber litter and timber litter and understory.
Crews are working on multiple divisions of the fire. Firefighters in Division C are continuing to prepare and burn roads and dozer lines between Drop Point 10 and Bliss Road, while Division F crews are constructing line from Bliss Road to Swan Lake Point.
Other crews are scouting opportunities between Swan Lake Point and the Division H break, while firefighters in Divisions H, R and X continue securing and mopping up control lines.
Structural protection crews are surveying and preparing structures and will hold and secure areas around homes and other structures during critical burn periods.
Fire officials expect the fire to continue moving east and south during the next several days. Very active fire behavior, including periods of extreme activity, is expected to continue during the next 12 hours.
Smoke from overnight inversions is expected to affect surrounding communities through the morning and into the early afternoon. Firefighters will continue structure protection and suppression operations around the clock.
Weather conditions are expected to gradually become more favorable for firefighters. A light westerly flow Thursday and Friday is expected to bring slightly cooler temperatures and higher humidity. Afternoon humidity is expected to remain above 25% Thursday and Friday, while northwest winds could produce gusts near 15 mph during the afternoon.
There is also a slight chance of thunderstorms later 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 is being managed under the command of Adam Veale of Northwest Complex Incident Management Team 8 and Lance Lighty of the Oregon State Fire Marshal Green Team.
The Wrights Spring Fire remains under investigation.
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