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: 89%
Cause: Lightning
Resources:
Total Personnel: 1209
Hand Crews: 27
Engines: 55
Water Tenders: 21
Dozers: 10
Aviation:
Helicopters
Type 1 2
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 quickly respond to flare up and continue strengthening fire lines around the Rowe Creek Complex
PRINEVILLE, Ore. (August 19, 2026) – Yesterday afternoon the fire flared up in the Mill Creek area. A snag fell near the control line causing flareups and spread fire outside the control line. Aircraft flew until sundown and crews were sent to the area to assist in containing the new growth. Overnight, crews were able to fully line and lay hose around the fire spread. Today, crews will continue to strengthen fire lines in the area.
Today, firefighters will continue mop-up on southern part of the complex. The north part of the complex is moving into patrol status with crews patrolling the area throughout the coming days. Near Cherry Creek Road and Box Springs, crews will continue tree limbing to reduce ladder fuels and reduce the risk of flare ups. Firefighters will also continue gridding residences and building control line depth around the fire. Crews have completed contingency lines and fuel breaks near the Ochoco National Forest boundary along Forest Service Road 50, providing an added layer of protection.
With extremely low relative humidity and high temperatures across the fire area, increased smoke may be visible within the fire perimeter. Firefighters are working and monitoring these areas near the perimeter to ensure all activity remains contained within established control lines.
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, extremely 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.
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.