Incident Information:
Phone Number: 541-800-1280 (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)
Phone (Media Inquiries): 541-981-6087
Inciweb: inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orprd-rowe-creek-complex
Facebook: facebook.com/rowecreekcomplex
Email: 2026.RoweCreekComplex@firenet.gov
FIRE AT A GLANCE
Rowe Creek Complex Total:
Estimated Size: 373,785 acres
Containment: 89%
Cause: Lightning
Resources:
Total Personnel: 1256
Hand Crews: 22
Engines: 86
Water Tenders: 28
Dozers: 21
Aviation:
Helicopters
Type 1 3
Type 2 3
Type3 2
Evacuations:
Evacuations are determined by Crook and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Offices.
Road Closures:
For road closures, visit: https://www.tripcheck.com.
Incident Commanders:
ODF CIMT 2, Incident Commander Matt Howard/OSFM Incident Commander Ian Yocum
Firefighters continue mop-up operations on the Rowe Creek Complex
PRINEVILLE, Ore. (August 17, 2026) – Firefighters made steady progress overnight, continuing to work deeper into the fire interior to extinguish remaining heat and strengthen control lines. Priority mop-up efforts focused on areas with the most recent fire activity, including Mill Creek, Marks Creek, Duncan Creek, and Ranger Station Road. Wildland and structure protection crews used thermal imaging cameras (TICs), gridding and cold trailing to locate and extinguish residual heat. Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) were also used to collect mapping and infrared information to support operations.
Today, firefighters will continue mop-up operations along the southwestern and southeastern flanks, extinguishing remaining heat and further securing control lines. In the Mill Creek area along the southwestern edge of the fire, crews have completed extensive tree limbing to reduce ladder fuels, improve access and make mop-up and patrol operations more efficient. Firefighters will continue patrolling Mill Creek and gridding properties along Ranger Station Road for heat. Contingency line and fuel breaks have also been constructed outside the fire area near the Ochoco National Forest boundary along FSR 50.
Increased visible smoke and columns may develop today and in the coming days, particularly on the southeastern corner of the fire in between U.S. Highway 26 and Ranger Station Road. Firefighters are monitoring this area closely as remaining pockets of unburned vegetation continue to burn within the fire perimeter. This activity is expected and remains within established control lines.
Improved and stable fire conditions have enhanced home safety and allowed evacuation levels to be lowered. Today is the last work period for OSFM structure protection resources assigned to the Rowe Creek Complex. Because suppression objectives around homes have been met, some personnel and equipment from the Rowe Creek Complex will be demobilized and returned home to remain ready for their next assignment. A total of twenty-three Oregon counties and 486 structural firefighters have supported the Rowe Creek Complex response, with additional assistance from the California Office of Emergency Services and resources from Washington. Resource levels continue to be evaluated based on current fire conditions, community risk, and operational needs. Additional resources may be requested if conditions change.
Safety
Fire suppression operations continue to increase traffic on area roadways. Drivers should remain alert for firefighters and heavy equipment. Stay out of closed areas, follow evacuation orders and avoid activities that could spark a fire. Along U.S. Highway 26, please obey the posted 45 mph speed limit and all traffic controls. Do not stop or park along the roadway and remain alert for heavy equipment and emergency vehicles entering and leaving the fire area.
Weather and Fire Behavior
A warming and drying trend continues, with high temperatures, low relative humidity and northwest winds around 7 to 14 mph. These conditions may contribute to increased fire activity in the fire perimeter.
Evacuations
Evacuation orders are issued by the county sheriff’s offices. For the most up-to-date information, visit:
Crook County: https://www.facebook.com/CrookCountySheriff
Interactive Evacuation map: https://bit.ly/3SFuMTb
Closures
For current road closure information, visit TripCheck: www.tripcheck.com
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/programs/fire/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions
U.S. Forest Service – Ochoco National Forest Closure Information: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/ochoco/alerts
Central Oregon Fire Restrictions: https://centraloregonfire.org/fire-restrictions/
A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) remains in place in the fire area to protect aerial firefighting operations. Unauthorized drone and aircraft operations are prohibited within the restricted airspace. For more information, visit: https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr3
Air Quality Information
Air quality updates: https://fire.airnow.gov/ Smoke outlook information: https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/d00423d0
Community Smoke Relief Resources:
Free box fan filter kits are available at the Prineville Health Center, 375 NW Beaver St. #101, and the Crook County Health Department, 375 NW Beaver St. #100. Kits are complete and require no assembly. Each location has 50 kits available on a first-come, first-served basis.