Incident Information:
Fire Information Line: 503-877-9324, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/akawabuttefire
Email: akawabuttefire@gmail.com
FIRE AT A GLANCE
Akawa Butte Fire
Estimated Size: 19,034 acres
Containment: 3%
Cause: Lightning
Evacuations: Level 1–3 evacuations are in effect
Resources
Total Personnel: 690
Hand Crews: 9
Engines: 34
Water Tenders: 11
Dozers: 13
Aviation:
Helicopters
Type 3 3
Type 2 2
Type1 4
Incident Commanders:
ODF IMT Incident Commander Matt Howard
OSFM Incident Commander Ian Yocum
(Sisters, OR) Night crews held the control lines established on the north and east perimeters. Crews moved from the northeast corner of the fire towards the southwest to give additional support in clearing roads to provide ease of access to the active fire area. A mile and a half of dozer line was secured along Grandview Loop Road south to the junction of SW Stevens Canyon Road. Tactical firing operation may occur today on active areas of the fire.
Today, four additional task forces are arriving to provide structure protection near Indian Ford and Wilt Roads. The fire expanded by 5,429 acres to the southwest overnight. Heavy equipment will work to establish a control line on Forest Service Road 11, as well as the Indian Ford and Wilt Roads. Additional aerial resources have been assigned and will provide bucket drops and retardant as conditions allow.
The public is asked to take caution and be aware while driving in the region due to increased fire activity and heavy fire equipment. Closed areas and evacuation orders are in place for public and firefighter safety.
Weather and Fire Behavior
There is a Red Flag Warning in effect today for abundant lightning, atmospheric instability, gusty winds of up to 40 mph and isolated thunderstorms. A Red Flag Warning is a critical alert issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) indicating that upcoming weather conditions are ideal for the rapid ignition and spread of wildfires.
Public Meeting
An in-person community meeting will be held at 6:30 PM on Thursday, July 23 at the Sisters High School Auditorium. The meeting will be live streamed for virtual attendees via Facebook on the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SCSRFPD
Evacuations
Evacuation orders are issued by the county sheriff’s offices. For the most up-to-date information, visit:
Deschutes County: https://sheriff.deschutes.org/news/
For an interactivemap: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/6f8868c4477e462b8a653a89260268fc
Jefferson County: http://bit.ly/3R3V6pu
Closures
The Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service have implemented closures in and around the fire area.
BLM Closures and Restrictions: https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2026-07/orwa-fpo-pri-jefferson-071826.pdf
U.S. Forest Service – Deschutes National Forest Closure: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/deschutes/alerts/akawa-butte-fire-closure
Air Quality Information
Air quality: https://fire.airnow.gov/
Smoke outlook information: https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/6aaf6480