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: 27,287 acres (Estimated IR Acres)
Containment: 5%
Cause: Lightning
Evacuations: Level 1–3 evacuations are in effect
Resources
Total Personnel: 1168
Hand Crews: 33
Engines: 66
Water Tenders: 12
Dozers: 14
Aviation:
Helicopters
Type 3 3
Type 2 9
Type1 5
Incident Commanders:
ODF IMT Incident Commander Matt Howard
OSFM Incident Commander Ian Yocum
SISTERS, Ore. (July 24, 2026) – The Akawa Butte Fire is now 5% contained. Firefighters worked around the clock to strengthen control lines ahead of a forecasted Red Flag Warning.
Night and swing shift crews secured spot fires, constructed new control line, and reinforced existing control lines. Dozers constructed line around a large spot fire on the southern end of the incident between Stevens Canyon Road and Wilt Road. Hand crews continued mopping up spot fires on the southern and southwestern flanks while installing hand line and hose lays. Structure protection teams mopped up and secured a 100- to 150-foot perimeter around homes and while providing water support to wildland resources.
Firefighting resources assigned to the Akawa Butte Fire will nearly double today as the incident is the nation’s highest-priority fire for resource allocation. As additional personnel arrive, Incident Commander Ian Yocum emphasized the team’s unified mission during the morning operational briefing; “Maximize our efforts to save homes and get everyone home safely. One mission. One team. One plan.”
Today, firefighters will focus on strengthening control lines along the southern flank, where fire activity remains most active. Crews will continue increasing the cooled areas interior of control lines and securing the eastern perimeter in preparation for forecasted winds. Operations include extending and plumbing hose lays, and preparing Forest Service Road 11 as a contingency holding line. Structure protection resources will continue point protection, fire suppression, mop-up, and supporting wildland firefighting operations. Aircraft will provide aerial support primarily on the southeastern portion of the fire, where crews will engage in direct suppression tactics.
The public is asked to take caution and be aware while driving in the area due to increased fire activity and equipment, especially around the Sisters Rodeo grounds which have heavy equipment and crews entering and leaving at all hours.
Weather and Fire Behavior
Weather conditions remained favorable overnight but are expected to change this afternoon. A Red Flag Warning is in effect from 1 p.m. Friday to 8 p.m. Saturday for hot, dry and windy conditions with critically low relative humidity. The combination of strong winds, low humidity, and warm temperatures may contribute to increased fire activity and rapid fire spread.
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 interactive map: 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
U.S. Forest Service-Crooked River National Grassland Closure: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/ochoco/alerts/akawa-butte-fire-area-closure
Air Quality Information
Air quality: https://fire.airnow.gov/
Smoke outlook information: https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/6aaf6480