Baker County Oregon Health Department

08/28/2026

PLEASE READ BELOW: THERE IS AN INTERMITTENT SMOKE ADVISORY FOR BAKER COUNTY.

Air quality advisory for multiple parts of Oregon
Date: Friday, August 28, 2026

QUICK FACTS

Location: Crook, Jefferson, southern Wasco counties

End date: Monday, Aug. 31, 2026 at noon

Smoke sources: Multiple wildfires in Oregon

** Información en español **

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued an air quality advisory for Crook, Jefferson, and southern Wasco Counties on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.

DEQ expects the air quality advisory to last until at least noon on Monday, Aug. 31, 2026. DEQ and partner agencies will continue to monitor smoke in the area.

DEQ expects intermittent smoke in Baker, eastern Clackamas and Deschutes Counties from Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, through Monday, August 31, 2026, at noon.

Smoke levels can change rapidly depending on weather. Check current conditions on the Oregon Smoke Information Blog, DEQ’s Air Quality Index, or by downloading the free OregonAIR app on your smartphone.

Smoke can irritate the eyes and lungs and worsen some medical conditions. People most at risk include infants and young children, people with heart or lung disease, older adults and pregnant people.

Protect yourself and your family when smoke levels are high:

Stay inside if possible. Keep windows and doors closed. If it’s too hot, run air conditioning on recirculate or consider moving to a cooler location.
Avoid strenuous outdoor activity.
Use high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters in indoor ventilation systems or portable air purifiers. Or create your own air purifying filter by following these instructions.
Be aware of smoke in your area and avoid places with the highest levels.
When air quality improves to moderate or healthy (yellow or green on the Air Quality Index), open windows and doors to air out homes and businesses.
If you have a breathing plan for a medical condition, be sure to follow it and keep any needed medications refilled.
Cloth, dust and surgical masks don’t protect from the harmful particles in smoke. N95 or P100 respirators approved by NIOSH may offer protection, but they must be properly selected and worn. Select a NIOSH-approved respirator with a N, R or P alongside the number 95, 99 or 100. Learn how to put on and use a respirator. Respirators won’t work for children as they don’t come in children’s sizes. People with heart or lung conditions should consult their health care provider before wearing a respirator.

Additional resources:

Find a cleaner air space in your area: Visit org and search for “Wildfire Related Clean Air Shelters.” Or call 211 during business hours (8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday)
Learn more about protecting your health during wildfires
Media contacts:

DEQ: Chris Varley, 503-933-0514, [email protected]
DEQ: Dylan Darling, 541-600-6119, [email protected]
Local and Tribal contacts
Read the advisory on the Oregon Smoke Information Blog here.

08/26/2026

Contact:​Matt Hutchinson
​​Baker Valley Vector Control District
​​541-523-1151

​​Baker County Health Department
​​541-523-8211
​​

For Immediate Release:
8/26/26

West Nile virus detected in mosquitoes in Baker County

Baker City, Ore.—West Nile virus, which is spread by mosquitoes, has been detected in mosquitoes at two testing sites in Baker County, Ore., according to Oregon Public Health officials and Oregon State University, Veterinary Laboratory.

The mosquitoes were found at one testing site approximately 3 miles northeast of Baker City, as well as another testing site approximately 1 mile south of North Powder. These are the first mosquitoes to test positive for the disease in Baker County in 2026.

Health officials are advising people in Baker County to take precautions against mosquitoes to avoid the risk of infection, including preventing mosquito bites. West Nile virus is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito.

The incubation period is usually two to 14 days. People infected may develop a fever with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. Most people with febrile illness due to West Nile virus recover completely, but fatigue and weakness can last for weeks or months. It is important that you contact your health care provider if you experience any of these symptoms. Some infected individuals may develop neuro-invasive disease (infection of the brain or spinal cord) that can be severe or may cause death. This is especially of concern to people 50 and older, people with immune-compromising conditions, and people with diabetes or high blood pressure. While risk of West Nile disease is low, a handful of people get it each year in Oregon. People should consult their health care providers if they have these symptoms. If you have symptoms of West Nile virus infection, please see your medical provider as there are commercial tests available.



Communities and individuals living in or spending significant time outdoors, particularly near irrigated land, waterways, standing water, and used tires—including those working in agriculture, such as migrant and seasonal farm workers—may be at increased risk of mosquito bites and related diseases.


The virus also affects wildlife and domesticated farm animals. Horses can be vaccinated for West Nile virus to prevent disease. Please consult with your veterinarian.

The number of mosquito pools—samples of 10-50 mosquitoes—that test positive in any area may indicate the risk of human exposure and infection, said Matt Hutchinson, Manager of Baker Valley Vector Control District. He recommends people and animals be protected against mosquito bites.

“Although mosquitoes are an inevitable part of summer, mosquito bites don’t have to be—they are preventable,” said Emilio DeBess. “You can take simple steps to protect yourself and reduce the risk of contracting West Nile disease.”

Dr. DeBess offers these tips for protecting yourself against mosquitoes:

● Eliminate sources of standing water that are a breeding ground for mosquitoes, including watering troughs, bird baths, ornamental ponds, buckets, wading and swimming pools not in use, and old tires.
● When engaged in outdoor activities at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active, protect yourself by using mosquito repellants containing DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus or Picardin, and follow the directions on the container.
● Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants in mosquito-infested areas.
● Make sure screen doors and windows are in good repair and fit tightly.

Additional information about West Nile virus:

Oregon Health Authority website: http://public.health.oregon.gov/DiseasesConditions/DiseasesAZ/WestNileVirus/Pages/survey.aspx

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/ index.htm

Mosquitoes spread West Nile virus. Illness ranges from mild to severe.

08/25/2026

🍂 FALL INTO HEALTH HEALTH FAIR! 🍂

Join us September 25th from 10 AM–4 PM at 2600 East Street, Baker City, OR for a fun-filled day for the whole family! ❤️

Come see us and enjoy:
🍎 Food
🎨 Kids’ activities
💉 Flu shots
🎟️ Raffle prizes
🛍️ Local vendors
🍁 Lots of fall fun!

Bring your family and friends—we’d love to see you there! Mark your calendar and come Fall Into Health with us! 🍂🎉

08/24/2026

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued an air quality advisory Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, for the Baker and northern Umatilla counties.

DEQ expects the air quality advisory to last until at least Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, and the intermittent smoke advisory to last until Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 25, 2026. DEQ and partner agencies will continue to monitor smoke in the area.

DEQ expects intermittent smoke in Clackamas, Deschutes, Marion, Multnomah and southern Wasco counties until at least Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 25, 2026.

08/24/2026

🎒📚 **Happy First Day of School, Baker County!** 🍎✏️

Tomorrow is the big day! We want to wish all of our students, teachers, school staff, and families a **happy, healthy, and safe first day of school!** 💙

As everyone gets back into the school routine, please take a moment to remember a few important safety tips:

🚌 **School Bus Safety**
• Slow down and watch for school buses and children.
• Stop when a school bus has its red lights flashing.
• Teach children to wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before getting on or off.

🚗 **Drop-Off & Pick-Up Safety**
• Follow school drop-off and pick-up procedures.
• Stay alert and watch carefully for children walking or riding bikes.
• Put the phone down while driving.

🚶 **Walking & Biking Safety**
• Use sidewalks and designated crossings whenever possible.
• Look both ways before crossing the street.
• Wear a properly fitted helmet when riding a bike or scooter.

🧒 **Stranger & Personal Safety**
• Remind children not to talk to or accept rides, gifts, or treats from strangers.
• Teach children to never go anywhere with someone they don't know without permission from a trusted adult.
• Make sure children know who their trusted adults are and who is allowed to pick them up.
• Encourage children to trust their instincts and tell a trusted adult if something makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe.

☀️💧 **It's Still Hot Outside!**
Even though school is starting, summer temperatures are still here!
• Send children to school with a water bottle and encourage them to drink water throughout the day.
• Encourage frequent hydration, especially during recess and outdoor activities.
• Dress children in lightweight, comfortable clothing appropriate for the heat.
• Don't forget sunscreen and sun protection when spending time outdoors.

🧼 **Stay Healthy**
• Wash hands often, especially before eating and after using the restroom.
• Remind children to cover coughs and sneezes.
• Keep children home when they are sick to help protect classmates and staff.

💤 **Take Care of Yourself**
• Start the day with a healthy breakfast.
• Get plenty of sleep so everyone can start the school day rested and ready to learn.

Most importantly, **be patient, slow down, stay hydrated, and look out for one another.** A little extra care can make a big difference in keeping our children safe and healthy.

From all of us at the **Baker County Health Department**, we wish you a wonderful first day of school and an amazing school year! 🎉📚❤️

**Welcome back, Bulldogs! 🐾**

08/23/2026

🔥NEW FIRE ALERT- MCCULLY FIRE (Formerly McCully Fire and North Pole Fire)

UPDATE (9/1/26 2:15PM): Evacuation levels have increased for areas in GRANT COUNTY.

🔴Level 3 (GO NOW) (Increased from Level 2): South of South Trail Creek, west of Badger Butte and the North Fork John Day Wilderness, east of the 52 Road and the 73 Road near Crane Flats,
north of Granite Creek

🟡Level 2 (BE SET): South of the Grant/Union County line, North of the 7350 Road, west of the 73 Road, east of the 800 Road/North Fork of the John Day River/070 Road/1038 Road

🗺Interactive Map (Raptor): https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/de78333b0d2544f7a320142174aa20ae =layer_visibility:%7B%22widget_6-dataSource_2%22%3A%7B%22widget_6-dataSource_2-181d093b9af-layer-92-181d093ba2b-layer-97%22%3Afalse%2C%22widget_6-dataSource_2-181d093b9af-layer-92-181d093ba2a-layer-96%22%3Afalse%2C%22widget_6-dataSource_2-181d093b9af-layer-92-181d093ba2a-layer-94%22%3Afalse%2C%22widget_6-dataSource_2-181d093b9af-layer-92-181d093ba29-layer-93%22%3Afalse%7D%7D

U.S. Forest Service - Wallowa Whitman National Forest

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UPDATE (9/1/26 11:15AM): Evacuation zones have been expanded for areas in GRANT COUNTY.

Baker County Sheriff's Deputies are in the area performing notifications.

GRANT COUNTY Evacuation Areas:
🔴Level 3 (GO NOW) (Increased from Level 2): North Fork of the John Day Wilderness west of Baldy Creek

🟡Level 2 (BE SET) (Increased from Level 1): North of Crane Creek, east of the 73 Road, south of the 73 Road/North Fork of the John Day Wilderness, west of the North Fork John Day Wilderness

🟡Level 2 (BE SET) (New Zone): North of the 73 Road, east of the 52 Road, south of South Trail Creek, west of the 73 Road

🟢Level 1 (BE SET) (New Zone): West of the 73 Road, south of the Grant/Union County line, north of South Trail Creek, east of the 51 Road

U.S. Forest Service - Wallowa Whitman National Forest
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UPDATE (8/27/26 4:30PM): Evacuation zones for the McCully Fire and North Pole Fire have been updated. The fires have joined and will now be referred to as the McCully Fire 🔥.

BAKER COUNTY Evacuation Areas:
🔴Level 3 (GO NOW): South of Nip and Tuck Pass, Red Mountain, and Eilertson Meadow, east of the upper portion of Pine Creek and Rock Creek Lake, north of FS Road 160, Snell Hollow and the Granite Hill Road between Bear Canyon and the Baker/Grant County line, west of the Baker/Grant County line

🟡Level 2 (BE SET): Southern Zone:
South of Snell Hollow, FS Road 160, Elkhorn Crest Trail between Deer Creek and Marble Creek Pass, west of Baboon Creek/FS Road 6510, east of Bear Canyon, north of FS Road 175/5532 and Sumpter, FS Road 6540

🟡Level 2 (BE SET): Northern Zone:
East of Elkhorn Crest Trail between Nip and Tuck Pass and Dutch Flat Saddle, south of Dutch Flat Trail, west of Clapp Meadow and Locken Meadow, north of Nip and Tuck Pass, Red Mountain and Eilertson Meadow

🟢Level 1 (BE READY): North of Goodrich Creek, west of Spring Creek Loop Road and the end of Hunt Mountain Lane and the mid slope of Hunt Mountain, south of Rock Creek near the Ford Ingram Ditch, east of Eilertson Meadow, Pine Creek, and Rock Creek Lake

🟢Level 1 (BE READY): Sumpter and lower Spaulding Ridge

GRANT COUNTY Evacuation Areas:
🔴Level 3 (GO NOW): West of the Baker/Grant County line, north of FS Road 150 and the intersection of the 7366 & 023 Spur, east of Corral Creek and Baldy Creek, south of the North Fork John Day River and Cunningham Trail

🟡Level 2 (BE SET): Northern Zone:
North of FS Road 7355, west of 73 Road between Crain Creek and FS Road 7355, east of Baldy Creek and Corral Creek, south of Crane Creek
*This also includes a portion of the North Fork of the John Day Wilderness west of Baldy Creek

🟡Level 2 (BE SET): Southern Zone:
South of intersection of FS Road 7366 and 023 Spur and FS Road 150, west of the Baker/Grant County line, east of Corral Creek, north of the Granite Hill Road

🟢Level 1 (BE READY): Northern Zone:
East of the 73 Road, south of the 73 Road and the North Fork of the John Day Wilderness boundary, west of the North Fork John Day Wilderness boundary, north of Crane Creek

🟢Level 1 (BE READY): Southern Zone:
East of the 73 Road, south of FS Road 7355, west of Corral Creek, north of Granite

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UPDATE (8/24/26 1:00PM): Evacuation zones for the McCully Fire and North Pole Fire have been increased.

🔴Level 3 (GO NOW): West of Bear Canyon, east of the Baker/Grant County line, north of Granite Hill Road, south of Mammoth Mine and Bald Mtn Mine

U.S. Forest Service - Wallowa Whitman National Forest

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UPDATE (8/23/26 11:30AM): Evacuation zones for the McCully Fire and North Pole Fire have been expanded. This includes some areas in Grant County. Map is shown below.

BAKER COUNTY Evacuation Areas:
🔴Level 3 (GO NOW): South of Baker/Grant County Line, Mayflower Meadow, North Fork Rock Creek, west of Pine Creek and Rock Creek Lake, north of Mammoth Road and Pole Creek Ridge, east of Mount Ireland

🟡Level 2 (BE SET): Southern area of map:
East of the Baker/Grant County Line, north of the Granite Hill Road and the 5532 and 6540 Roads, west of Forest Road 6510/Baboon Creek and Pine Creek, South of Forest Road 5520

🟡Level 2 (BE SET): Northern area of map:
North of Mayflower Meadow, Summit Lake, and North Fork Rock Creek, east of the Baker/Grant County Line (the ridge line of the Elkhorn Mountains), south of Dutch Flat Trail, west of Clapp Meadow & Locken Meadow

🟢Level 1 (BE READY): North of Goodrich Creek, west of Spring Creek Loop Road and the end of Hunt Mountain Road (the mid-slope of Hunt Mountain), south of Rock Creek near the Ford Ingram Ditch, east of Eilertson Meadow, Pine Creek, and Rock Creek Lake

GRANT COUNTY Evacuation Areas:
🔴Level 3 (GO NOW): North of the Baker/Grant County Line and surrounded by the North Fork John Day Wilderness

🟡Level 2 (BE SET): West of the Baker/Grant County Line, south of Cunningham Trail, North Fork of John Day River, east of Baldy Creek and Corral Creek, north of Granite Hill Road

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UPDATE (8/22/26 6:30PM): Fires have impacted the Elkhorn Crest Trail. Please avoid the area.

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Several new fire starts have ignited near Bourne, approximately 6-7 miles north of Sumpter.

Baker County Sheriff's Office has issued the following evacuations:

🔴Level 3 (GO NOW): North of Mammoth Road/Forest Road 156, south of the crest of the Elkhorn Mountains, east of Mount Ireland, west of Forest Road 160

🟡Level 2 (BE SET): East of the Baker/Grant County Line, north of Granite Hill Road/North of 5532 and 6540, west of Forest Road 6510/Baboon Creek and Pine Creek, south of Forest Road 5520

🟢Level 1 (BE READY): South of Forest Road 5532, east of Bear Canyon, west of the Sumpter City Limits, north of the Sumpter city limits

Deputies are in Bourne and surrounding areas performing evacuation notices.

U.S. Forest Service and Oregon Department of Forestry have sent resources. Rural fire agencies are mobilizing to provide structure protection.

Continue to follow this post for updated evacuation information.

U.S. Forest Service - Wallowa Whitman National Forest

08/21/2026

WIC will be hosting walk-ins on August 24th from 8-11 am & 1 pm to 4 pm. Walk-ins are for new families, established families that need an appointment, new pregnancies, new babies and anything else we can help you with. Walk-ins can be done by phone. New families are encouraged to come in (but not required).

Got questions? Call or text us at 541-523-8211.

08/14/2026

30-Day Notice of Change in Office Hours

Baker County Health Department

The Baker County Health Department is providing this 30-day notice to inform our community of a change in our regular office hours, effective September 14, 2026.

Current Hours

Monday–Friday

8:00 AM–12:00 PM
Closed 12:00 PM–1:00 PM for lunch
1:00 PM–5:00 PM
New Hours — Effective September 14, 2026

Monday–Thursday

7:30 AM–12:00 PM
Closed 12:00 PM–12:30 PM for lunch
12:30 PM–5:00 PM

Friday

8:00 AM–12:00 PM

We are making this change in response to feedback we have heard from members of our community. The new schedule will provide an earlier time block before the workday and additional access during the midday/lunch period, making it more convenient for community members to access our services.

We appreciate your feedback and support as we make this change to better serve the Baker County community.

Effective Date: September 14, 2026

Thank you,
Baker County Health Department

08/11/2026

WIC will be hosting walk-ins on August 12th from 1 pm to 4 pm. Walk-ins are for new families, established families that need an appointment, new pregnancies, new babies and anything else we can help you with. Walk-ins can be done by phone. New families are encouraged to come in (but not required).

Got questions? Call or text us at 541-523-8211.

08/07/2026