SISTERS, Ore. (August 26, 2025) — The Flat Fire is estimated at 21,971 acres with 7% containment. The fire is burning approximately two miles northeast of Sisters, Oregon. Infrared (IR) flights have not been possible due to weather conditions, and updated acreage will be provided once flights can occur.
Overnight, firefighters continued to make good progress on securing fire lines. Structural crews extinguished hot spots and conducted mop-up around homes throughout the night. Dozer operators worked to improve established line, and hand crews extended mop-up operations to 50 feet inside the perimeter in many areas.
Firefighters are aggressively conducting mop-up as they prepare for a shift in weather patterns, as warm, dry, and windy conditions are expected later this week. Mop-up is when firefighters methodically secure the fire’s edge and interior. Crews search for, dig out, and extinguish burning material, such as smoldering roots, stumps, or duff, while cooling hot spots. These areas can insulate embers deep beneath the surface, smoldering out of sight. As temperatures rise and humidity drops, those embers can flare back up if they aren’t cooled. This careful work is labor-intensive but essential, helping to strengthen lines, reducing the chance that lingering heat could flare up when conditions shift later this week.
Today, wildland resources working on the north end of the fire will be installing hose lays and working to remove overhead hazards. Crews working along the eastern edge of the fire will be conducting foot patrols between the Flat Fire and Alder Springs burn scar, connecting line where needed. On the southeastern perimeter, hand crews will be installing hose lays along dozer line. On the southwestern side of the fire, firefighters continue working to secure the Whychus Creek area and will be utilizing portable pumps to assist with the cooling of hot spots along Wilt Rd. On the western edge, mop-up will be extended to 100 feet inside the fire perimeter. Structural resources are positioned within residential areas, continuing to extinguish hot spots near homes and eliminate potential for reignition.
The community may see more smoke as the weather warms this week. Fire officials ask the public to remain alert and avoid fire traffic areas to help keep crews moving safely.
Evacuations:
Evacuations are managed by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
Level 1, 2 and 3 evacuations remain in effect under the direction of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Follow their Facebook pages for the latest information and updates. They can also be reached by phone: Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office at (541) 388-6655, and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (541) 475-6520.
A 24-hour evacuation shelter has been set up by the Red Cross at Highland Baptist Church located at: 3100 SW Highland Ave, Redmond, OR. Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Madras and Kerley Horse Center in Powell Butte are available for large animals.
Local Area closures: To help fire operations and firefighter safety, the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service ask that people stay out of the fire area. The BLM has implemented closures, which can be found under the Prineville tab on the following page: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions.
As a reminder, drone use near fires is both illegal and extremely dangerous to pilots working on incidents. If you fly, we can’t. FAA Temporary Flight Restrictions are in place for the fire area. All illegal drone use will be reported to law enforcement.
Local Road closures: The Deschutes County Sheriff is managing several local road closures.
· Wilt Road is closed at Camp Polk Road
· Panoramic Drive is closed at Camp Polk Road
· Goodrich Road closed north of Hwy 126
· Holmes Road closed north of Fadjur Lane
Smoke Report: Air quality continues to change. For current conditions, please visit: https://fire.airnow.gov/