Big Grass Fire burns 578,637 acres in Idaho and Oregon

The Big Grass Fire, ignited by a lightning strike on July 23, 2026, burned 578,637 acres across Idaho and Oregon. The fire has significantly impacted mule deer summer, transition, and winter ranges.

While some areas experienced low survival rates for sagebrush and bitterbrush, unburned islands remain in certain locations. Habitat rehabilitation efforts will focus on suppressing invasive annual grasses and promoting shrub recovery through seeding and seedling planting in severely burned zones.

For hunters, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game suggests alternative areas such as the Silver City Range, Mud Flat Road, and Bruneau, as well as unburned sections of South Mountain and Combination Ridge. Hunters are advised to check current BLM closures in Southwest Idaho and remain fire-wise due to drought conditions.