Oregon’s Mt. Hood Meadows has officially announced that it will remain closed for the rest of the summer after the resort was heavily impacted by the ongoing Grasshopper Fire.
According to a message posted to their social media, Mt. Hood Meadows is currently under a Level 3 evacuation order while the U.S. Forest Service has closed the surrounding forest. All organized summer events have been cancelled in response and the resort has shut down all summer operations.
The summer is often a fairly busy season for outdoor recreation at Mount Hood, with a variety of both summer activities and private events taking place throughout the warmer months.
Summer Events Canceled Amid Fire Restrictions
The decision to shut down summer operations was made with the safety of Mt. Hood Meadows’ employees and guests as the top priority. The closure will have a significant impact on both visitors and its team, but it was a necessary move.
Scheduled private events could still take place if conditions allow and wedding couples whose events have been affected will continue to receive daily updates regarding the fire and associated closures. The Grasshopper Fire has been moving away from the Mt. Hood Meadows area, providing some hope and encouraging news as firefighters continue their work.
Highway 35 is reopened during evening hours but Mt. Hood Meadows still recommends that travels take alternate routes because fire crews remain active along the highway.
Mt. Hood Meadows Looks Ahead to Winter
“Thank you everyone for your well wishes, positive vibes, and understanding. This is not how we wanted our summer to go, but if there is one thing we are really good at, it is making the best out of a tough situation.” – Mt. Hood Meadows
Winter is right around the corner. Though subject to change based on weather, snowfall, and conditions, Mt. Hood Meadows is shooting for an opening day of December 4th to kick off the ski and snowboard season. With the summer closure, guests will have to wait until winter to return to the slopes. For now, fire conditions and forest closures are the primary concern.
According to the most recent update on InciWeb (released on August 11th), the Grasshopper Fire currently burns at 77,311 acres with 20% containment. 1,680 personnel are working to contain the wildfire.