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: 27,433 acres
Containment: 6%
Cause: Lightning
Evacuations: Level 1–3 evacuations are in effect
Resources
Total Personnel: 1,663
Hand Crews: 49
Engines: 90
Water Tenders: 30
Dozers: 20
Aviation:
Helicopters
Type 1 6
Type 2 9
Type3 4
Incident Commanders:
ODF IMT Incident Commander Matt Howard
OSFM Incident Commander Ian Yocum
Public Meeting: An in-person community meeting will be held at the Sisters High School Auditorium Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be live-streamed for virtual attendees via Facebook on the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/SCSRFPD, and posted on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/AkawaButteFire.
Sisters, Ore (July 28, 2026) – Crews used handheld infrared (IR) detection equipment along the northern edge of the fire area to locate and mark heat sources. Firefighters will extinguish those hot spots today as part of mop-up operations.
Structural protection crews created 200-foot buffers around structures and residences around the fire. Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) resources continue to be reassigned to assist with other wildfires, including the nearby Bench Fire. Structural crews will remain to monitor and patrol residential areas while assisting wildland crews.
Work on contingency lines is nearly completed. These lines are constructed as a secondary line of defense away from the main fire in case the fire crosses primary containment lines.
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. Thank you for slowing down!
Weather and Fire Behavior
Elevated fire weather continues with hot, dry, and breezy conditions expected to continue throughout the week.
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
Evacuation centers are located are located at: For people: Sisters High School, 1700 W McKinney Butte Road, Sisters, OR 97759
For large animals: Deschutes County Fairgrounds, 3800 SW Airport Way, Redmond, OR 97756
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
Deschutes National Forest Closure: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/deschutes/alerts/akawa-butte-fire-closure-july-22-2026
Ochoco National Forest & 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/
Two-day smoke outlook information: https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/6aaf6480