Jackass Butte Fire

Harney County, Oregon · Wildfire

Active Official numbers updated Sep 6, 2026 (2 days ago)
First reported about 6 weeks ago
Metric Now
Size
24,724 acres
Sep 8, 6:00 AM
−18 acres
was 24,742 acres · Aug 2, 7:00 PM
Containment
92%
Sep 8, 6:00 AM
+14 percent
was 78% · Aug 6, 8:00 PM
Crew size
3
Sep 8, 6:00 AM
−6
was 9 · Sep 5, 9:00 PM
Money spent
$3.1M
Sep 8, 6:00 AM
+$56,641
was $3.0M · Aug 23, 9:00 PM

Jackass Butte Fire and other nearby fires

🔥 Where this fire started Mostly contained Partly contained Containment not reported

Drag or zoom the map to see more fires in the area.

Jackass Butte Fire summary

The Jackass Butte Fire is a wildfire near Harney County, Oregon. It has burned about 24,724 acres (about 19,000 football fields). Crews have boxed in 92% of its edge; the other 8% isn't contained yet. It was first reported about 6 weeks ago. About 3 people are on it, run by a Type 4 IC. We're also tracking 5 other active fires within about 75 miles.

Size
24,724 acres
Containment
92%
Discovered
July 25, 2026 (first reported about 6 weeks ago)
Cause
Not reported

The size and containment above are current as of Tuesday, September 8th at 6:00 a.m. CDT.

Weather & fire-spread conditions

No Red Flag Warning. The National Weather Service hasn't flagged this area for dangerous fire-spread conditions right now.

Hot, dry, and windy weather can help a fire grow; cool, calm, or wet weather helps crews. The tags below rate each day for fire spread — green is calm, red can push a fire.

A general fire-weather guide (wind matters most, then how dry it is, then heat), not a prediction of what this fire will do.

Overnight

41°F · Mostly Clear

Wind 3 mph NW · 0% chance of rain

Wind: Calm Heat: Cool Dry

Tuesday

70°F · Sunny

Wind 3 to 7 mph NNE · 0% chance of rain

Wind: Calm Heat: Cool Dry

Tuesday Night

43°F · Mostly Clear

Wind 2 to 7 mph ESE · 0% chance of rain

Wind: Calm Heat: Cool Dry

Wednesday

78°F · Sunny

Wind 5 mph E · 0% chance of rain

Wind: Calm Heat: Warm Dry

Wednesday Night

48°F · Mostly Clear

Wind 3 to 7 mph S · 0% chance of rain

Wind: Calm Heat: Cool Dry

Forecast from the National Weather Service (weather.gov), pulled Tuesday, September 8th at 6:01 a.m. CDT.

When I roll up to someone's house that's clearly been hardened against wildfire, it's like a breath of fresh air. I know my chances of saving your home just went up dramatically.

A wildland firefighter, on Reddit

Find out if your house is ready for a fire like this one.

Get our FREE Home Fire Report. Type your address. We send you your report on what wildland firefighters say to do to make your home safe.

Here is what the report will tell you:

  • Every fire that has burned near your address, with dates and distances. How many days your home has been in a Red Flag Warning fire hazard zone.
  • Expert advice from experienced wildland firefighters on things you can do to make your home safer.

The report is free. We do not share your address or spam you.

Your report arrives by email within 3 days. We do not share your address or report with anyone.

Who's on it

About 3 people are assigned to this fire, run by a Type 4 IC. The government rates it a Type 3 Incident. About $3 million has been spent on it so far.

The official feed reports the total headcount, not a breakdown by crew type.

Where to get live updates

We show the daily official picture. For minute-by-minute updates, evacuation orders, and maps, these do it best:

Nearby fires to Jackass Butte Fire

Within about 75 miles we're tracking 5 other active fires, closest first:

See all active fires in Oregon →

A wildland firefighter in a white helmet and yellow shirt sits on a grassy slope above a forested mountain valley

The guy who wrote this site, on a break. Summer 2026.

Wildland firefighting is a great job for the right person.

No college. No experience needed. You learn on the job.

Who fits:

$54,000
a full 6-month season, with overtime
105
jobs open across the country right now
11
open to total beginners

Jobs in all 50 states, most of them out West. Most crews hire in fall and winter for the next summer. Oregon has 48 open right now, 3 for beginners. See them.

Know someone who fits?

Send them a link to woodlandfirefighter.com. It explains the job and how to get hired.

Want to talk to a real wildland firefighter?

I spent summer 2026 on a Forest Service crew in Montana. Happy to answer any questions. 30-minute call, $37.

Book a 30-minute call

Drop your email. Get the free guide.

Inside: the pay breakdown, a resume template, a training plan for the fitness (pack) test, and the hiring timeline.

100% free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.