Grasshopper Fire Scorches 35,000 Acres Near Mount Hood, Destroying 102-Year-Old Lookout
Updated
Updated · Outside · Aug 5
Grasshopper Fire Scorches 35,000 Acres Near Mount Hood, Destroying 102-Year-Old Lookout
3 articles · Updated · Outside · Aug 5
Summary
Nearly 35,000 acres have burned east of Mount Hood, where the lightning-sparked Grasshopper Fire destroyed the Flag Point Fire Lookout on July 31 and remains only 19% contained.
About 1,300 firefighters are battling the blaze after a hot, dry summer and days of easterly winds pushed fire and smoke toward recreation areas usually protected by westerly flows.
Mt. Hood Meadows, 60 miles from Portland, was placed under a Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation on Aug. 4, while Timberline Lodge is under a Level 1 alert and Skibowl closed because of smoke.
More than 50 Mount Hood trails are closed through Dec. 31, and officials say reopening will depend on post-fire assessments of soil, geology and damaged recreation infrastructure.
The loss of the 102-year-old lookout adds to pressure on Mount Hood's historic and tourism assets, even as the Forest Service says cameras, satellites and patrols can still cover fire detection.