Red Flag Warning conditions return to the Rowe Creek Complex

August 22, 2026

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (Aug. 22, 2026) – With recreational activities increasing over the next two weeks, fire officials would like to remind the public that closures remain in effect across the fire area for lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). If you have questions about current closures, please contact the local agencies. Recreationists should avoid all closed areas for their safety and the safety of firefighting personnel. Information on these closures can be found on the Ochoco National Forest website’s Alerts page and the BLM Prineville website’s Fire Closures and Restrictions page.

A Red Flag Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service due to low relative humidity and gusting winds. A change in wind direction may expose smoldering materials previously sheltered from the wind resulting in an increase in fire activity within the fire’s perimeter.

Last night, firefighters focused on shoring up containment lines along the eastern edge of the fire area ahead of today’s winds. Sources of heat were identified using Thermal Imaging Cameras and Unmanned Aircraft Systems in the Cherry Creek and Mill Creek areas and completing work around Wednesday’s flare up on Mill Creek Road.

Firefighters will continue focusing on the southern and eastern lines of the fire, which are most at risk under today’s weather conditions. Increased smoke is likely throughout the day as unburned vegetation inside the fire perimeter becomes more receptive to combustion.

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

Red Flag Warning in effect through Saturday which may result in an increase in fire activity and smoke production from within the fire perimeter. A short reprieve is in the forecast for Sunday and Monday as cooler, more humid weather with gentle breezes is expected, followed again by hot and dry conditions mid-week.

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

Jefferson County: https://www.facebook.com/JeffersonCountyORSheriff

Wheeler County: https://www.facebook.com/WheelerCountySheriffsOffice

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/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

For current road closure information, visit TripCheck: www.tripcheck.com

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

ODF Wildland Fire Situation Report: August 19, 2026

August 19, 2026

ODF Complex Incident Management Teams

• ODF CIMT 1 is in command of the Fielder Mountain Fire. Visit the ODF Southwest Oregon District Facebook page for updates.
• ODF CIMT 2 is in unified command with OSFM Red Team on the Rowe Creek Complex. Visit the incident Facebook page for updates.
• ODF CIMT 3 is in command of the Cottonwood, Little Bear, Rosenbaum and Bologna Fire. Visit the incident Facebook page for updates.

Current Large Fires with ODF Involvement (in priority order).

*These numbers may change as we receive more data.

There are approximately 7,880 personnel assigned to the 16 large fires across the state, not including many of the local and agency government employees, landowners, forestland operators, and members of the community who are contributing every day.

Initial attack remains ODF’s top priority.

Prevention: As we already know, fire behavior this season is extremely active and continuously changing. Even as containment is rising on large wildfires, the region is still experiencing critical fire weather. Firefighters continue to work diligently and will do so until all fires are completely out. Now is NOT the time to become complacent.

Help your wildland firefighters by preventing the next human-caused wildfire. The easiest way to do this is by checking your local fire restrictions and brushing up on your wildfire prevention knowledge. Remain aware of weather conditions and any red flag warnings in your area. Sign up for emergency alerts at ORalert.gov.

Weather: Drier and warmer conditions, along with building instability will produce an elevated burn environment much of this week. Heading into the weekend, southwest winds will increase and bring back a lightning threat as a stronger Pacific trough approaches the west coast. The best potential for faster moving thunderstorms Friday is along the Cascades and Olympics, with thunderstorms shifting north and east into the northern Cascades and eastern Washington on Saturday.  A cold front will likely move across the region late Friday and Saturday bringing gusty west winds following the lightning.

However, confidence is still low on exact details, and overall timing may change as the event nears. Temperatures will cool 8-12 degrees over the weekend behind the front.  A weak trough will remain along the coast with continued southwest flow into next week.

Today’s Highlight: Incident management teams on large fires don’t just manage those fires but also support the local district in initial attack as needed, sometimes preventing the next large fire.

This is true for ODF’s Complex Incident Management Team 3, who were originally assigned to manage the Bologna and Cottonwood fires. While in the area, the team helped with initial attack on both the Little Bear and Rosenbaum fires and quickly assumed command of both for the district.

Due to critical fire weather, the Rosenbaum Fire grew quickly from steep forestland towards Hwy. 19 creating complexity for initial attack resources to get around it. With ODF CIMT 3 already in place, additional ground and air resources were mobilized to the Rosenbaum Fire to support the ODF Central Oregon District in their suppression efforts. The team took command of the fire the following morning to alleviate resources in the local district. The Rosenbaum Fire is now 54% contained and 483 acres.

This fire had the potential to become thousands of acres due to hot, dry and windy conditions driving it through difficult terrain and dried fuels, but now it is well on its way to containment due to the partnership between ODF Central Oregon District and ODF CIMT 3.

Resources

• ODF wildfire blog and Public Fire Restrictions/Danger Levels map
• Regional situation report and national situation report
• Inciweb (information, photos, videos, and maps from specific incidents)

ODF Wildland Fire Situation Report: August 17, 2026

August 17, 2026

ODF Complex Incident Management Teams

• ODF CIMT 1 is in command of the Fielder Mountain Fire. Visit the ODF Southwest Oregon District Facebook page for updates.
• ODF CIMT 2 is in unified command with OSFM Red Team on the Rowe Creek Complex. Visit the incident Facebook page for updates.
• ODF CIMT 3 is in command of the Cottonwood, Little Bear, Rosenbaum and Bologna Fire. Visit the incident Facebook page for updates.

ODF Priority Fires

*These numbers may change as we receive more data.

There are approximately 8,439 personnel assigned to the 22 large fires across the state, not including many of the local and agency government employees, landowners, forestland operators, and members of the community who are contributing every day.

Initial attack remains ODF’s top priority.

Prevention: As we already know, fire behavior this season is extremely active and continuously changing. Even as containment has risen on several fires, they are still experiencing fire growth, established spot fires and slopover on the containment lines. Firefighters continue to work diligently to contain these fires and will do so until it is completely out. Now is NOT the time to become complacent.

Help your wildland firefighters by preventing the next human-caused wildfire. The easiest way to do this is by checking your local fire restrictions and brushing up on your wildfire prevention knowledge. Remain aware of weather conditions and any red flag warnings in your area. Sign up for emergency alerts at ORalert.gov.

Weather: An upper-level disturbance may trigger lightning today, mainly in Oregon. Drier southwest flow aloft develops afterward, reducing the lightning threat through much of the week. Gusty west wind develops over eastside PSAs today and Tuesday, especially through the Cascade gaps and into the western

Columbia Basin. A warming and drying trend is expected mid to late week as a ridge builds. Heading into the weekend, low pressure will increase southerly winds and bring back a lightning threat as a stronger Pacific trough approaches. Many areas could see lightning, though details remain uncertain.

Today’s Highlight: Through the NW Compact, a mutual aid agreement with western states, provinces and territories, the Oregon Department of Forestry has brought in 19 firefighters from Alberta, the Yukon Territory and Saskatchewan.

These firefighters range from heavy equipment bosses to aviation managers to Type 3 incident commanders and safety officers. These management positions will help the state mobilize more resources and give reprieve to those that have been on assignment. The firefighters will be spread out amongst several fires in Oregon including the Grasshopper Fire, the Wrights Spring Fire, the Rowe Creek Complex and others this week.

Resources

• ODF wildfire blog and Public Fire Restrictions/Danger Levels map
• Regional situation report and national situation report
• Inciweb (information, photos, videos, and maps from specific incidents)

ODF Wildland Fire Situation Report: August 14, 2026

August 14, 2026

ODF Complex Incident Management Teams

• ODF CIMT 1 has been mobilized to the Fielder Mountain Fire and will take command at 6 p.m. tonight. Visit the ODF Southwest Oregon District Facebook page for updates.
• ODF CIMT 2 has been mobilized to the Rowe Creek Complex and will take command Sunday, August 16. Visit the incident Facebook page for updates.
• ODF CIMT 3 is in command of the Cottonwood, Little Bear, Rosenbaum and Bologna Fire. Visit the incident Facebook page for updates.

ODF Priority Fires

*These numbers may change as we receive more data.

There are approximately 8,925 personnel assigned to the 24 large fires across the state, not including many of the local and agency government employees, landowners, forestland operators, and members of the community who are contributing every day.

Initial attack remains ODF’s top priority.

Prevention: As we already know, fire behavior this season is extremely active and continuously changing. Even as containment has risen on several fires, they are still experiencing fire growth, established spot fires and slopover on the containment lines. Firefighters continue to work diligently to contain these fires and will do so until it is completely out. Now is NOT the time to become complacent.

Help your wildland firefighters by preventing the next human-caused wildfire. The easiest way to do this is by checking your local fire restrictions and brushing up on your wildfire prevention knowledge. Remain aware of weather conditions and any red flag warnings in your area. Sign up for emergency alerts at ORalert.gov.

Weather: Low pressure moving south from Canada will keep thunderstorms over northern Washington and the northern Cascades through Friday, producing gusty outflow winds and localized wetting rain. Northeast winds behind a cold front will continue today across eastern Washington, with 25–35 mph gusts over higher terrain and aligned valleys and may push smoke west of the Cascades. A coastal trough will hold in place through the weekend and maintain thunder potential over northern Washington, the northern Cascades, and the Olympics. Monsoonal moisture will spread into eastern Oregon through Sunday, starting with mixed wet and dry thunderstorms and gusty outflows that shift north and gradually produce localized rainfall. Isolated thunderstorms are possible along the Oregon Cascades and the Siskiyous through Saturday, with lightning coverage potentially peaking Saturday. Weak upper waves may also trigger isolated early‑morning lightning in eastern Washington and Oregon.

Today’s Highlight: This past Wednesday, ODF’s South Cascade District responded to a vegetation fire within the Springfield city limits. In coordination with the local fire department, ODF supported suppression efforts by providing firefighters, engines and a dozer through mutual aid agreements.

ODF alongside structural firefighters was able to help quickly extinguish the fire before it reached nearby residences.

Resources

• ODF wildfire blog and Public Fire Restrictions/Danger Levels map
• Regional situation report and national situation report
• Inciweb (information, photos, videos, and maps from specific incidents)

ODF Wildland Fire Situation Report: August 12, 2026

August 12, 2026

ODF Complex Incident Management Teams

• ODF CIMT 1 is on rotation.
• ODF CIMT 2 has sent a partial team to the Rowe Creek Complex. Remainder of the team will arrive and take over command of the complex Sunday, August 16. Visit the incident Facebook page for updates.
• ODF CIMT 3 is in command of the Cottonwood and Bologna Fire. Visit the incident Facebook page for updates.

ODF Priority Fires

*These numbers may change as we receive more data.

There are approximately 11,798 personnel assigned to the 30 large fires across the state, not including many of the local and agency government employees, landowners, forestland operators, and members of the community who are contributing every day.

Initial attack remains ODF’s top priority.

Prevention: As we already know, fire behavior this season is extremely active and continuously changing. Even as containment has risen on several fires, they are still experiencing fire growth, established spot fires and slopover on the containment lines. Firefighters continue to work diligently to contain these fires and will do so until it is completely out. Now is NOT the time to become complacent.

Help your wildland firefighters by preventing the next human-caused wildfire. The easiest way to do this is by checking your local fire restrictions and brushing up on your wildfire prevention knowledge. Remain aware of weather conditions and any red flag warnings in your area. Sign up for emergency alerts at ORalert.gov.

Weather: Gusty gap winds begin decreasing today. Low pressure crossing southern British Columbia Wednesday and Thursday will keep scattered thunderstorms in northern Washington, which may linger overnight. Thunderstorms will bring gusty outflow winds and localized wetting rains. Winds will shift to the north across the Okanogan Valley and northern Columbia Basin mid-week. A low-pressure trough remains along the coast through the weekend and will maintain thunder potential over northern Washington Friday. Monsoonal moisture will spread into eastern Oregon from Thursday through Sunday, starting with drier thunderstorms and gusty outflow winds that move north and gradually produce localized rainfall. Thunderstorms may develop west toward the Cascades and Siskiyou Mountains Friday and continue in the Cascades through the weekend.

Today’s Highlight: In collaboration with local fire departments and the Oregon Dept. of Corrections, Keep Oregon Green (KOG) collected a bunch of spent fire hose to use for an important purpose—wildfire prevention messaging: “Dragging chains spark flames” on one side and “Keep Oregon Green” on the other.

KOG will be handing these out at the state fair for free (one per customer) until they run out. Help us send a message to boat, trailer, and camper haulers to tie up those sagging, dragging tow chains and help us prevent wildfires!

Resources

• ODF wildfire blog and Public Fire Restrictions/Danger Levels map
• Regional situation report and national situation report
• Inciweb (information, photos, videos, and maps from specific incidents)

ODF Wildland Fire Situation Report: August 10, 2026

August 10, 2026

ODF Complex Incident Management Teams

• ODF CIMT 1 is on rotation.
• ODF CIMT 2 has sent a partial team to the Rowe Creek Complex. Remainder of the team will arrive and take over command of the complex at the end of the week. Visit the incident Facebook page for updates.
• ODF CIMT 3 has been deployed to the Cottonwood and Bologna Fire.

ODF Priority Fires

*These numbers may change as we receive more data.

There are approximately 10,165 personnel assigned to the 33 large fires across the state, not including many of the local and agency government employees, landowners, forestland operators, and members of the community who are contributing every day.

Initial attack remains ODF’s top priority.

Prevention: As we already know, fire behavior this season is extremely active and continuously changing. Even as containment has risen on several fires, they are still experiencing fire growth, established spot fires and slopover on the containment lines. Firefighters continue to work diligently to contain these fires and will do so until it is completely out. Now is NOT the time to become complacent.

Help your wildland firefighters by preventing the next human-caused wildfire. The easiest way to do this is by checking your local fire restrictions and brushing up on your wildfire prevention knowledge. Remain aware of weather conditions and any red flag warnings in your area. Sign up for emergency alerts at ORalert.gov.

Weather: Gusty gap winds will continue through Tuesday, though any westside humidity increases will not last far from the Cascades. Low pressure moving across southern British Columbia Wednesday and Thursday will bring scattered thunderstorms near the Canadian border Wednesday and into far northeast Washington Thursday. Winds shift to be from the northwest and north through the Okanogan Valley and the northern Columbia Basin. Monsoonal moisture will move into central, south central, and southeast Oregon from Thursday through Sunday with initially dry thunderstorms moving northward from the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Great Basin. Rainfall from the storms increases Saturday and Sunday, but so does the lightning potential.

In Memoriam: The Oregon Department of Forestry extends its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Jason Ensign, who passed away while fighting the Wrights Spring Fire for Green Diamond Resource Company.

Every life lost on a fire hits hard for all of us in the wildland fire community, especially when it’s this close to home.

ODF will continue to work closely with our federal, state, and local agency partners and support wherever is needed through the next steps of this process.

And to every firefighter out on the line this season: stay safe, stay aware and take care of yourself. We appreciate everything you are doing to protect Oregon.

For more information, visit Klamath County Sheriff’s Office.

Resources

• ODF wildfire blog and Public Fire Restrictions/Danger Levels map
• Regional situation report and national situation report
• Inciweb (information, photos, videos, and maps from specific incidents)

ODF Wildland Fire Situation Report: August 7, 2026

August 7, 2026

ODF Complex Incident Management Teams

• FL Team 1 is in command of the East Evans Creek and I-5 MM 57 NB Fire. For fire updates, visit the Southwest Oregon District’s Facebook page.
• ODF CIMT 1 is on rest.
• ODF CIMT 2 is on rotation.
• ODF CIMT 3 is on standby.

ODF Priority Fires

*These numbers may change as we receive more data.

There are approximately 10,508 personnel assigned to the 32 large fires across the state, not including many of the local and agency government employees, landowners, forestland operators, and members of the community who are contributing every day.

Initial attack remains ODF’s top priority.

Prevention: As fire weather and extreme fire behavior persists, the Oregon Department of Forestry, along with other fire managers across Oregon, are urging Oregonians and those visiting our state to exercise caution and help prevent wildfires. Check local restrictions, avoid activities that could cause a spark, stay clear of firefighting operation areas and follow local evacuation and emergency alerts.

Help your wildland firefighters by preventing the next human-caused wildfire. The easiest way to do this is by checking your local fire restrictions and brushing up on your wildfire prevention knowledge.

Weather: Gusty westerly winds will increase east of Cascades today and Saturday, especially through the Cascade gaps and Columbia Basin. It will also be hot with very low RHs each day. Areas in the east will see their lowest RHs in the single digit to mid-teens. Early next week, westerly onshore flow will return typical westside conditions, while central and eastern areas stay warm, dry, and periodically breezy.

Today’s Highlight: Four South Fork Forest Camp (SFFC) crews are returning after deploying for 14 days to help battle the 15,580-acre East Evans Creek Fire in southern Oregon.  The 10-person adults in custody crews, who are led and trained by ODF staff, have been preforming labor-intensive mop-up operations.  The wildland firefighters extinguish residual fire and prevent rekindling near control lines by cooling ash pits to maintain a fireline during mop-up.  They also do cold-trailing where firefighters use the back of their hands to feel the ground for any remaining heat near the fireline and put out those hot spots.

SFFC, a minimum-security facility in the middle of the Tillamook State Forest, is jointly run by the Oregon Department of Forestry and the Oregon Department of Corrections.  During fire season the SFFC crews are typically prepositioned in northwest Oregon; however, with size, number and intensity of wildfires this year they are deploying outside the region.  DOC staff provide security and administrative support while the AICs are in camp.  The life and job skills and practical experience they learn at SFFC while on fires can lead to some making careers in firefighting afterwards with contactors or ODF.

Resources

• ODF wildfire blog and Public Fire Restrictions/Danger Levels map
• Regional situation report and national situation report
• Inciweb (information, photos, videos, and maps from specific incidents)

ODF Wildland Fire Situation Report: August 5, 2026

August 5, 2026

ODF Complex Incident Management Teams

• FL Team 1 is in command of the East Evans Creek Fire. For fire updates, visit the Southwest Oregon District’s Facebook page.
• ODF CIMT 1 is on rest.
• ODF CIMT 2 is on rotation.
• ODF CIMT 3 is on standby.

ODF Priority Fires

*These numbers may change as we receive more data.

There are approximately 11,304 personnel assigned to the 33 large fires across the state, not including many of the local and agency government employees, landowners, forestland operators, and members of the community who are contributing every day.

Initial attack remains ODF’s top priority.

Prevention: As fire weather and extreme fire behavior persists, the Oregon Department of Forestry, along with other fire managers across Oregon, are urging Oregonians and those visiting our state to exercise caution and help prevent wildfires. Check local restrictions, avoid activities that could cause a spark, stay clear of firefighting operation areas and follow local evacuation and emergency alerts.

Help your wildland firefighters by preventing the next human-caused wildfire. The easiest way to do this is by checking your local fire restrictions and brushing up on your wildfire prevention knowledge.

Weather: High pressure over the Northwest today through Friday will bring hot and very dry conditions, poor humidity recoveries with north to northeast wind in the Willamette valley and the Columbia Gorge. A thermal trough over southern and central Oregon Cascades establishes itself today and Wednesday increasing instability and some easterly winds. High pressure over the Northwest will begin to weaken and move well east of the region late this week into the weekend. Low pressure and associated front will enter British Columbia resulting in a flattening of the ridge and increased winds in the Columbia Basin and Cascade gaps Friday through Sunday. Slightly cooler temperatures by Sunday.

Today’s Highlight: Through mutual aid agreements, the Oregon Department of Forestry has been able to bring in qualified middle management supervisors from out of state to support our firefighting efforts. Nationally, there is a shortage of qualified middle managers, which are needed to be able to safely mobilize assets like aircraft, hand crews, strike teams and more.

Most recently, ODF brought in four Military Helicopter Managers from California, through the NW Compact, which enabled the state to activate Oregon National Guard resources to support wildfire suppression efforts in Northeast Oregon. Without these key manager positions from California, Oregon would have been unable to fill the positions and subsequently unable to activate the needed assets supplied and staffed by the Oregon National Guard – Oregon Military Department.

These agreements with our partners and neighboring states help us to protect the state we love.

Resources

• ODF wildfire blog and Public Fire Restrictions/Danger Levels map
• Regional situation report and national situation report
• Inciweb (information, photos, videos, and maps from specific incidents)

ODF Wildland Fire Situation Report: August 3, 2026

August 3, 2026

ODF Complex Incident Management Teams

• FL Team 1 is in command of the East Evans Creek Fire. For fire updates, visit the Southwest Oregon District’s Facebook page.
• ODF CIMT 1 is on rotation.
• ODF CIMT 2 is on rest.
• ODF CIMT 3 is on rest.

ODF Priority Fires

*These numbers may change as we receive more data.

There are approximately 11,774 personnel assigned to the 32 large fires across the state, not including many of the local and agency government employees, landowners, forestland operators, and members of the community who are contributing every day.

Initial attack remains ODF’s top priority.

Prevention: As fire weather and extreme fire behavior persists, the Oregon Department of Forestry, along with other fire managers across Oregon, are urging Oregonians and those visiting our state to exercise caution and help prevent wildfires. Check local restrictions, avoid activities that could cause a spark, stay clear of firefighting operation areas and follow local evacuation and emergency alerts.

Help your wildland firefighters by preventing the next human-caused wildfire. The easiest way to do this is by checking your local fire restrictions and brushing up on your wildfire prevention knowledge.

Weather: Strong high pressure develops over the Northeast Pacific Monday and then covers the Geographic Area Tuesday through at least Friday. This will result in hot and very dry conditions, with poor humidity recovery beginning Monday night over the eastside PSAs. Poor humidity recovery can be expected over the eastside and westside higher terrain Tuesday night through Friday. North to northeast wind develops Monday and continues through early Tuesday east of the Cascades and in the Columbia Gorge enhancing fire weather concerns. A thermal trough will develop across the southern and central Oregon Cascades Monday and Tuesday resulting in favorable conditions for increasing instability. The thermal trough shifts to the east Cascade slopes and into the Okanogan Valley Wednesday. Models indicate the possibility of another dry cold frontal passage next weekend.

Today’s Highlight: The Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Southwest Oregon District worked hard over the weekend and through their dedication helped protect two separate communities from wildfire.

Saturday afternoon, ODF Southwest Oregon firefighters, alongside local fire districts, responded to a wildland fire off I-5, near mile marker 57. The agency quickly went full throttle when it came to initial attack on the fast-moving fire, bringing in several different types of aircraft to limit the fire’s growth and impact on communities.

Within 45 minutes of that fire starting, there was a three-alarm fire in White City and the local fire district requested assistance from ODF. ODF Southwest Oregon firefighters responded and were stationed to protect the local VA medical center.

By Sunday morning, both fires were contained and in mop-up operations.

These two fires show the great successes of not only aggressive initial attack but partnering with our local fire districts. Together, we can support each other and protect Oregonians.

Resources

• ODF wildfire blog and Public Fire Restrictions/Danger Levels map
• Regional situation report and national situation report
• Inciweb (information, photos, videos, and maps from specific incidents)

ODF Wildland Fire Situation Report : July 31, 2026

July 31, 2026

Significant Fire Potential This Weekend in Eastern Oregon

A dry cold front will arrive on Saturday that will bring strong winds to most of eastern Oregon east side, driving fire growth Saturday into Sunday. Forecasts are showing sustained winds 20-30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. Winds over 30 mph can cause spot fires more than a mile away from the main fire. These conditions have the potential to produce fire behavior beyond what we’ve already seen this season. It’s critical that people pay close attention to weather forecasts and public safety information over the next several days. If you haven’t already, sign up for local emergency alerts at ORAlert.gov.

*ODF acres burned from the July 29, 2026 Sit Report contained duplicates. The above is the correct ODF acres burned.

ODF Complex Incident Management Teams

• FL Team 1 is in command of the East Evans Creek Fire. For fire updates, visit the Southwest Oregon District’s Facebook page.
• ODF CIMT 2 is in command of the Akawa Butte Fire. For fire updates, visit the incident’s Facebook page.
• ODF CIMT 3 is in unified command with OSFM Red Team on the Rowe Creek Complex – West Zone. For fire updates, visit the incident’s Facebook page.
• ODF CIMT 1 is on rotation.

ODF Priority Fires

*These numbers may change as we receive more data.

There are approximately 12,498 personnel assigned to the 30 large fires across the state, not including many of the local and agency government employees, landowners, forestland operators, and members of the community who are contributing every day.

Initial attack remains ODF’s top priority.

Prevention: As fire weather and extreme fire behavior persists, the Oregon Department of Forestry, along with other fire managers across Oregon, are urging Oregonians and those visiting our state to exercise extreme caution and help prevent wildfires. Check local restrictions, avoid activities that could cause a spark, stay clear of firefighting operation areas and follow local evacuation and emergency alerts.

Help your wildland firefighters by preventing the next human-caused wildfire. The easiest way to do this is by checking your local fire restrictions and brushing up on your wildfire prevention knowledge.

Today’s Highlight: As fires in Central and Eastern Oregon continue, Oregon’s Rangeland Fire Protection Associations (RFPA) remain a vital local resource in our wildfire suppression efforts. For example, the Frenchglen RFPA estimates that they have put in 50 miles of dozer line, along with loading and unloading the dozer multiple times to move it.

ODF supports Oregon’s RFPAs through training, equipment acquisition and administrative support.

Through ODF, Oregon’s RFPAs have received over 20 individual assets ranging from slip-on units, Type 6 brush engines, Humvees, converted military 5-ton cargo trucks, and more. These totals do not include the dozens of federal excess assets re-allocated to the various RFPAs (through ODF) when declared excess from other holding agencies across the state.

This level of assistance has expanded through HB 3349, which established the Rangeland Protection Association Fund and authorized ODF to transfer used vehicles and other firefighting equipment to RFPAs through sale or donation.

Resources

• ODF wildfire blog and Public Fire Restrictions/Danger Levels map
• Regional situation report and national situation report
• Inciweb (information, photos, videos, and maps from specific incidents)

ODF Wildland Fire Situation Report : July 29, 2026

July 29, 2026

ODF Complex Incident Management Teams

• FL Team 1 is in command of the East Evans Creek Fire. For fire updates, visit the Southwest Oregon District’s Facebook page.
• ODF CIMT 2 is in unified command with OSFM Red Team of the Akawa Butte Fire. For fire updates, visit the incident’s Facebook page.
• ODF CIMT 3 is in unified command with OSFM Red Team on the Rowe Creek Complex – West Zone. For fire updates, visit the incident’s Facebook page.
• ODF CIMT 1 is on rest.

ODF Priority Fires

*These numbers may change as we receive more data.

There are approximately 11,619 personnel assigned to the 30 large fires across the state, not including many of the local and agency government employees, landowners, forestland operators, and members of the community who are contributing every day.

Initial attack remains ODF’s top priority.

Prevention: With extreme fire weather conditions across the state, the Oregon Department of Forestry, along with other fire managers across Oregon, are urging Oregonians and those visiting our state to exercise extreme caution and help prevent wildfires. Check local restrictions, avoid activities that could cause a spark, stay clear of firefighting operation areas and follow local evacuation and emergency alerts.

Help your wildland firefighters by preventing the next human-caused wildfire. The easiest way to do this is by checking your local fire restrictions and brushing up on your wildfire prevention knowledge.

Weather: A persistent pattern will keep the Northwest between Great Basin high pressure and low pressure near British Columbia through Friday. Marine air will continue moving onshore west of the Cascades. Eastern PSAs will see daily dry, breezy conditions with continued low humidity, especially across southeast Oregon. There will be a slight chance of mainly dry thunderstorms across central and northeast Oregon on Wednesday and Thursday.  A dry cold front on Saturday will produce strong and gusty winds resulting in widespread fire weather concerns, especially in eastern Washington. Expect increasing instability Monday as a high-pressure ridge and associated surface thermal trough develop across southwest Oregon. Overnight humidity recovery east of the Cascades will remain limited over the next several days.

Today’s Highlight: When wildfire evacuation notices are issued, every minute matters.

If you or someone in your household may need extra time to evacuate, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management asks you to consider leaving one evacuation level earlier. This can help you avoid traffic, reduce stress, and get to safety before conditions change.

You may want to leave early if your household includes:

• Someone who relies on medical equipment or oxygen
• Young children
• Pets
• Livestock
• Someone with mobility or access and functional needs

Planning ahead today can make all the difference during an emergency.

• Sign up for local emergency alerts at gov
• Stay informed about fires, evacuations, shelters, and resources at oregon.gov
• Please follow evacuation instructions from local officials and don’t wait until conditions become dangerous.

Resources

• ODF wildfire blog and Public Fire Restrictions/Danger Levels map
• Regional situation report and national situation report
• Inciweb (information, photos, videos, and maps from specific incidents)

ODF Wildland Fire Situation Report : July 24, 2026

July 24, 2026

ODF Complex Incident Management Teams

• Team 1 is in command of the East Evans Creek Fire. For fire updates, visit the Southwest Oregon District’s Facebook page.
• Team 2 is in unified command with OSFM Red Team of the Akawa Butte Fire. For fire updates, visit the incident’s Facebook page.
• Team 3 is in unified command with OSFM Red Team on the Brewer and Crosswhite West Fires. For fire updates, visit the incident’s Facebook page.

ODF Priority Fires

*These numbers may change as we receive more data.

There are approximately 10,333 personnel assigned to the 30 large fires across the state, not including many of the local and agency government employees, landowners, forestland operators, and members of the community who are contributing every day.

Initial attack remains ODF’s top priority.

Prevention: Over the last 72 hours, the state of Oregon has received thousands of lightning strikes. As new fires continue to pop up, firefighters will be working around the clock to catch them early and keep them small. A preventable, human-caused fire will take resources away from a new lightning start. We can’t control lightning, but we can control our actions.

Help your wildland firefighters by preventing the next human-caused wildfire. The easiest way to do this is by checking your local fire restrictions and brushing up on your wildfire prevention knowledge.

Weather: Monsoonal moisture will get pushed out of the Pacific Northwest today as an offshore low moves up the Oregon Coast. This will limit thunderstorm potential to a slight afternoon threat over extreme northeast Oregon and southeast Washington. This approaching low will also intensify onshore flow, bringing cooling and increased moisture to western Washington and Oregon, while generating gusty west winds and low humidity that create critical fire weather across southeast Oregon and central Washington. A cold front will sweep through the region on Saturday bringing light rain to northwest Washington and deepening the marine layer west of the Cascades. It will also deliver some cooling east of the Cascades alongside 30 to 40 mph wind gusts and single digit to teen humidity levels leading to critical fire weather conditions. The winds are expected to moderate through mid-week, although dry humidity levels will remain east of the Cascades.

ODF Highlight: This week, Oregon Department of Forestry’s West Oregon District firefighters, alongside local landowners and operators, responded to 20 new fire starts across the district following the lightning event. To give perspective, the 10-year average of fires for an entire season in this district is 35 fires.

The majority of the fires were fully extinguished by the early morning while some were in mop-up through the rest of the day. Through the dedication of these firefighters and our state, local, and contract wildfire response partners, none became a large wildfire.

Resources

• ODF wildfire blog and Public Fire Restrictions/Danger Levels map
• Regional situation report and national situation report
• Inciweb (information, photos, videos, and maps from specific incidents)

Wildland Fire Situation Report : July 22, 2026

July 22, 2026

ODF Complex Incident Management Teams

• Team 1 is in unified command with OSFM Blue Team on the East Evans Creek Fire. For fire updates, visit the Southwest Oregon District’s Facebook page.
• Team 2 is in unified command with OSFM Red Team of the Akawa Butte Fire. For fire updates, visit the incident’s Facebook page.
• Team 3 is in unified command with OSFM Red Team on the Brewer and Box Springs Fires. For fire updates, visit the incident’s Facebook page.

ODF Priority Fires

*These numbers may change as we receive more data.

There are approximately 9,885 personnel assigned to the 24 large fires across the state, not including many of the local and agency government employees, landowners, forestland operators, and members of the community who are contributing every day.

Initial attack remains ODF’s top priority.

Prevention: The Northwest Region is in Preparedness Level 5 meaning that resources are extremely strained throughout Oregon and Washington. Moving forward throughout the week, ODF protection districts will be focused on aggressive initial attack to new fire starts, while ODF CIMTs will be working to suppress large fires in the state. Even just one preventable, human-caused fire will add stress to an already strained system.

Help your wildland firefighters by preventing the next human-caused wildfire. The easiest way to do this is by checking your local fire restrictions and brushing up on your wildfire prevention knowledge.

Weather: The surge of monsoonal moisture will continue to push into Oregon today as an upper-level low approaches the coast. This will result in a significant increase in thunderstorms across Oregon with the most numerous thunderstorms expected near the Oregon Cascades into northwest Oregon. Although widespread wetting rains are not expected, some locally heavy rains are possible over the central Oregon Cascades. The scattered thunderstorm threat will continue to spread north and east tomorrow night into Thursday across Washington into northeast Oregon with an even lesser chance of wetting rains. Before the thunderstorms arrive expect hot and dry conditions to continue, especially over eastern Washington with triple digit temperatures and relative humidity values in the teens. Drier air will filter into the area late Thursday afternoon east of the Cascades resulting in hot, dry and windy conditions. These conditions will likely persist at times through Saturday, although there will be gradual cooling. Meanwhile west of the Cascades expect the return of cooler onshore flow with much higher relative humidity values.

ODF Highlight: Yesterday, Oregon Department of Forestry firefighters from the Dallas Unit responded to a three-alarm grass fire just a little bit south of their office. Though the fire was not on ODF-protected land, the proximity to the ODF office made them some of the closest resources. The ODF Dallas Unit sent several engines to assist and ordered a helicopter to assist ground operations. Alongside SW Polk Fire and Dallas Fire, wildland and structural firefighters were able to respond quickly and protect the surrounding community.

Resources

• ODF wildfire blog and Public Fire Restrictions/Danger Levels map
• Regional situation report and national situation report
• Inciweb (information, photos, videos, and maps from specific incidents)

Daily Wildland Situation Report : July 21, 2026

July 21, 2026

ODF Complex Incident Management Teams

• Team 1 is in unified command with OSFM Blue Team on the East Evans Creek Fire. For fire updates, visit the Southwest Oregon District’s Facebook page.
• Team 2 is in unified command with OSFM Red Team of the Akawa Butte Fire. For fire updates, visit the incident’s Facebook page.
• Team 3 is in unified command with OSFM Red Team on the Brewer and Box Springs Fires. For fire update, visit the incident’s Facebook page.

ODF Priority Fires

*These numbers may change as we receive more data.

There are approximately 8,906 personnel assigned to the 26 large fires across the state, not including many of the local and agency government employees, landowners, forestland operators, and members of the community who are contributing every day.

Initial attack remains ODF’s top priority.

Prevention: The Northwest Region is in Preparedness Level 5 meaning that resources are extremely strained throughout Oregon and Washington. Moving forward throughout the week, ODF protection districts will be focused on aggressive initial attack to new fire starts, while ODF CIMTs will be working to suppress large fires in the state. Even just one preventable, human-caused fire will add stress to an already strained system.

Help your wildland firefighters by preventing the next human-caused wildfire. The easiest way to do this is by checking your local fire restrictions and brushing up on your wildfire prevention knowledge.

Weather: Upper-level ridging will continue to push monsoonal moisture north across Oregon today, with potential thunderstorms primarily over south-central into southeast Oregon. Elsewhere expect warming conditions with the hottest and driest conditions forecast for the Columbia Basin with highs around 100 and relative humidity values in the teens. The chance of thunderstorms will increase significantly on Wednesday with the best chances again over the Oregon Cascades into southeast Oregon. Meanwhile the heat will continue to intensify across most of the region with highs in the lower 100s over a large portion of the Columbia Basin and relative humidity in the teens. Thursday will bring the hottest and driest conditions of the stretch to eastern Washington, followed by afternoon thunderstorms and then critical windy, dry conditions that should persist at least through Friday.

ODF Highlight: As technology evolves, so does the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF). ODF continues to adapt and integrate technological advancements into their work. During fire season, the agency uses several different types of tech for early detection, prevention, data collection and to support suppression efforts. Read more at ODFFire.com.

Resources

• ODF wildfire blog and Public Fire Restrictions/Danger Levels map
• Regional situation report and national situation report
• Inciweb (information, photos, videos, and maps from specific incidents)

Daily Wildland Fire Situation Report: July 20, 2026

July 20, 2026

ODF Complex Incident Management Teams

• Team 1 is in unified command with OSFM Blue Team on the East Evans Creek Fire. For fire updates, visit the Southwest Oregon District’s Facebook page.
• Team 2 is in unified command with OSFM Red Team of the Akawa Butte Fire. For fire updates, visit the incident’s Facebook page. There is a virtual community meeting tonight at 7 p.m. via the incident’s Facebook page.
• Team 3 is in unified command with OSFM Red Team on the Brewer and Box Springs Fires. For fire update, visit the incident’s Facebook page.

ODF Priority Fires

*These numbers may change as we receive more data.
** More priority fires will be added starting tomorrow, July 21, 2026.

There are approximately 7,257 personnel assigned to the 25 large fires across the state, not including many of the local and agency government employees, landowners, forestland operators, and members of the community who are contributing every day.

Initial attack remains ODF’s top priority.

Prevention: The Northwest Region is now in Preparedness Level 5 meaning that resources are extremely strained throughout Oregon and Washington. Moving forward throughout the week, ODF protection districts will be focused on aggressive initial attack to new fire starts, while ODF CIMTs will be working to suppress large fires in the state. Even just one preventable, human-caused fire will add stress on an already strained system.

Help your wildland firefighters by preventing the next human-caused wildfire. The easiest way to do this is by checking your local fire restrictions and brushing up on your wildfire prevention knowledge.

Weather: High pressure centered over the Great Basin continues to expand northwest through mid-week. This will result in generally hot and dry conditions. Monsoon moisture spreads into south-central and southeast Oregon Tuesday for potential lightning. The lightning threat Wednesday expands to all areas east of the Cascades, possibly into southwest Oregon and the Washington Olympics as well.  A weak upper-level trough is expected to settle off the Pacific Northwest coast late in the week. This brings enhanced wind to eastside PSAs, with Friday being of most concern.

Photo from Lebanon Fire District

ODF Highlight: Last week, Oregon Department of Forestry wildland firefighters alongside Lebanon Fire and Albany Fire responded to a brush fire near the Santiam River. Due to the rapid response of local resources, the fire burned just over an acre and was fully suppressed within just a few hours.

This is an excellent example of how the complete and coordinated fire system in Oregon works at all levels, from local to statewide response. The relationship between ODF protection districts and local fire departments is vital to keeping fires small and protecting Oregon’s communities.

Resources

• ODF wildfire blog and Public Fire Restrictions/Danger Levels map
• Regional situation report and national situation report
• Inciweb (information, photos, videos, and maps from specific incidents)

Weekly Situation Report: July 13, 2026

July 13, 2026

ODF Complex Incident Management Teams

• Team 1 is in unified command with OSFM Blue Team on the East Evans Creek Fire. For fire updates, visit the Southwest Oregon District’s Facebook page.
• Team 2 is on rotation.
• Team 3 is on standby.

ODF Priority Fires

*These numbers may change as we receive more data.

There are approximately 2,309 personnel assigned to the 6 large fires across the state, not including many of the local and agency government employees, landowners, forestland operators, and members of the community who are contributing every day.

Initial attack remains ODF’s top priority.

Prevention: By taking a few extra steps, you can help prevent the next wildfire in Oregon.

Wildfire prevention means:

• Debris burning remains the number one cause of human-caused fires in Oregon. Cover your pile and wait until fire season is declared over before burning. A dry, covered pile is cleaner and safer to burn in the late fall and winter.
• Check local restrictions before lighting a camp or warming fire to see if it is allowed.
• Never leave your campfire or warming fire unattended.
• Make sure your campfire or warming fire is OUT COLD. That means drowning it with water, stirring the ashes, and repeating that process until it is cold to touch. If there is any heat coming off the embers, then it can reignite later.
• Don’t park your car over dried grass, and make sure your vehicle or ATV is regularly serviced.
• Make sure your tow chains are not dragging. The metal hitting asphalt while driving can throw sparks into dry grass on the side of the road.

Visit Oregon.gov/odf to find local fire restrictions and keeporegongreen.org for more wildfire prevention tips.

Weather: High pressure will build over the region today and tomorrow. This will deliver very warm and dry conditions to the east side public service announcements with locally breezy conditions over south central Oregon. Additionally, monsoonal moisture and increased instability will begin to creep into the southeast quarter of Oregon by afternoon resulting in a small chance of thunderstorms as well as pyrocumulus development over existing fires. This threat will increase over all eastern Oregon on Tuesday. Any storms which form on Monday will initially be dry, however they will transition to wet storms on Tuesday. The forecast for late Wednesday to the end of the workweek is uncertain, however it appears the ridge will briefly break down as an offshore low heads inland. If this comes to fruition, expect a significant cooldown west of the Cascades as well as a good chance of thunderstorms from the Cascade Crest eastward.

ODF Highlight: The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Southwest Oregon District’s aggressive initial attack played a critical role in protecting nearby communities during the East Evans Creek Fire’s first operational period.

Reported Friday afternoon, the fire quickly grew under hot, dry and windy conditions in steep, challenging terrain. The first ODF engine arrived on scene in just 30 seconds after witnessing the incident, allowing firefighters to immediately begin suppression efforts.

Additional resources quickly followed, including five helicopters and three air tankers. Working in coordination with partner agencies, firefighters established an anchor point and made a stand along East Evans Creek Road, holding the fire along that corridor despite difficult topography and hazardous snags.

Those early suppression efforts helped keep the fire from making a significant push toward the Shady Cove and Eagle Point communities and prevented it from becoming much larger during its initial hours.

As firefighters continue working to suppress the East Evans Creek Fire, the line established during initial attack continues to help protect neighboring communities.

Resources

• ODF wildfire blog and Public Fire Restrictions/Danger Levels map
• Regional situation report and national situation report
• Inciweb (information, photos, videos, and maps from specific incidents)

East Evans Creek Fire resources capitalize on overnight conditions, continue making progress

July 13, 2026

SAMS VALLEY, Ore. (July 13, 2026) – Firefighters worked all night continuing to build on progress across the East Evans Creek Fire, located approximately seven miles west of Shady Cove. Overnight, the fire continued to burn fuels within an area with difficult access and steep terrain on the northwestern edge in the Spignet Butte area, moving the fire perimeter toward the indirect fireline that firefighters have been constructing. Crews worked throughout the night to strengthen fireline and solidify the temporary retardant lines dropped by multiple air tankers yesterday and construct line around a ~20-acre slopover.

An overnight infrared (IR) flight found the acreage of the fire increased to 3,628. This change is due to the added fire activity yesterday within the established control lines.

Resources were able to hold lines and connect those sections with new line on the northeastern edge, as well as on the southern side, where the majority of homes are located. Overnight, Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) structural resources patrolled the areas near houses and today, structural resources will continue to mop up 100 feet adjacent to homes within the fire.

Wildland resources continue to work along the south and eastern parts of the perimeter, where up to 25 feet of mop-up is complete across the perimeter. This work creates a cold, black control line that is difficult for fire to cross again. As this work continues, containment will begin to increase.

Weather conditions will continue to challenge firefighters today; instability in the forecast slightly increases the chance for thunderstorms across southern Oregon, which could create erratic wind on the fire, as well as the potential for sparking new fires in the area. East Evans Creek Fire Unified Command is aware and planning for these challenges, and can provide added resources should new fire starts be reported.

While safety remains a top priority on this incident, firefighters are committed to holding the fire in the smallest footprint possible and will continue to aggressively push forward on this progress. 

The fire started on Friday afternoon at 2:41 p.m. after a car crashed into a power pole, sparking dry vegetation in the area. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating the cause of the crash.

Evacuations: The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management have issued the following evacuations by level:

Evacuation Level 3 Go Now: JAC-148A All residences located adjacent to E. Evans Creek Road, from address 19385 through 21899, are included in the evacuation area. Additionally, residences located at 21612 Antioch Road and 21615 Antioch Road are included. 

Evacuation Level 2 Be Set:
JAC-016 / JAC-124 / JAC-147 / JAC-148B

Evacuation Level 1 Be Ready:
JAC-003 / JAC-004 / JAC-017 / JAC-026 / JAC-036 / JAC-109 / JAC-126 / JAC-149B

An evacuation shelter for residents and domestic pets has been established at Hanby Middle School, 806 6th Avenue, Gold Hill. Horses can be taken to the Expo at 21 Penninger Road, Central Point, Ore. For more information on evacuation levels or to find your evacuation zone, visit https://tinyurl.com/EastEvansCreekFireEvacMap. Expo staff and volunteers are prepared to receive horses; however, please call 541‑776‑7206 first to confirm space is available, as additional shelter locations may be activated. Owners should bring feed, water containers, and any necessary medications when possible.

For livestock sheltering assistance, call 541‑776‑7206.

Road Closures: Traffic is closed to the public on East Evans Creek Road at Meadows Road. Please avoid the fire area to allow firefighters and heavy equipment to operate safely.

Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): A “TFR” is in place for the fire area daily (24 hours) until further notice. Complete information is available at https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr3/?page=detail_6_4915. Flying a drone near or around a wildfire is illegal and compromises the safety of both pilots and firefighters, and interferes with firefighting efforts.

                                                                                                           # # #