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: 373,785 acres
Containment: 89%
Cause: Lightning
Resources:
Total Personnel: 1164
Hand Crews: 22
Engines: 66
Water Tenders: 22
Dozers: 20
Aviation:
Helicopters
Type 1 3
Type 2 3
Type 3 2
Evacuations:
Level 1–3 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
Firefighters continue mop-up and patrol on the Rowe Creek Complex
PRINEVILLE, Ore. (August 18, 2026) – Firefighters made steady progress overnight, continuing to work deeper into the fire interior to extinguish remaining heat and strengthen control lines. Mop-up efforts focused on the area between Mill Creek and U.S. Highway 26. 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 on the western portion of the fire. Near Cherry Creek Road and Box Springs, crews will continue tree limbing to reduce ladder fuels and improve access for patrol and mop-up. Firefighters will also continue working in the Mill Creek, Marks Creek, and Ranger Station Road areas, gridding properties and increasing mop-up depth.
The northeastern portion of the fire is largely contained and has transitioned to patrol status. Contingency line and fuel breaks have been constructed near the Ochoco National Forest boundary along FSR 50 to provide additional protection and help reduce future wildfire risk. Increased smoke may be visible as remaining pockets of unburned vegetation continue to burn within the fire perimeter. Firefighters are monitoring this activity, which remains within established control lines.
Oregon State Fire Marshal structure protection resources have completely demobilized from the incident as the eminent fire threat to communities and infrastructure has significantly diminished. OSFM firefighters would like to thank the community of Prineville for their support and hospitality.
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 of 6 to 10 mph, with gusts reaching 15 to 20 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.