Incident Information:
Phone Number: 541-800-1280 (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)
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: 373,981 acres
Containment: 91%
Cause: Lightning
Resources:
Total Personnel: 1305
Hand Crews: 31
Engines: 60
Water Tenders: 27
Dozers: 10
Aviation:
Helicopters
Type 1 2
Type 2 4
Type 3 2
Evacuations:
Level 1–2 evacuations are in effect for the Rowe Creek Complex Fire. 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
Chipping operations begin along Oregon Route 207
PRINEVILLE, Ore. (August 24, 2026) – Overnight there was very minimal fire activity. Crews utilized Thermal Imaging Cameras (TICS) to grid for heat in the Mill Creek and Duncan Creek areas to increase containment. Three UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) were utilized around the fire. The infrared imaging flights focused along the U.S. Highway 26 corridor and the northeast portion of the fire. The images provide essential thermal mapping for the day shift firefighters to locate unseen heat areas. Engine crews were also patrolling to make sure that no hot spots are a threat to the line.
Today, personnel will begin chipping operations along Oregon Route 207 between Mitchell and Service Creek. Please use extreme caution while driving in the area and follow posted speed limits. Heavy equipment will begin to move through the fire area on main roads evaluating suppression repair needs. Fire crews will continue suppressing hot spots that were located overnight in the Duncan Creek and Mill Creek areas.
Yesterday, Crook County Sheriff’s Office downgraded all remaining level 3 evacuation areas to level 2. Please remember that firefighters and equipment will still be working in the area. Use caution when around equipment.
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.
Weather and Fire Behavior
There will be a warming and drying trend over the fire area beginning today. Temperatures are expected to be about 10 degrees warmer today with mostly clear skies and maximum temperatures around 88 degrees. Relative minimum humidity will be around 13 percent with lighter winds.
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.