Full Breakdown
Oregon Wildfires Trigger State Emergency Declarations and Widespread Evacuations
7/26/2026, 7:54:24 PM
Rapidly Spreading Fires Prompt State Emergency Action
Governor Kotek’s office announced that the Emergency Conflagration Act was invoked for the Marks Creek area of the Crosswhite West Fire affecting Crook and Jefferson counties. The Central Oregon Fire Defense Board chief had requested assistance, and the Oregon State Fire Marshal approved the request. This marks the eighth invocation of the act in July 2026. State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple warned that conditions were extremely concerning and that the agency is deploying every available tool to protect threatened communities.
Fires and Their Scale
- Shingle Fire – Ignited by lightning on July 23, the blaze is about 14 miles southeast of Mitchell and has burned roughly 21,849 acres, according to the state fire marshal.
- Bench Fire – Now exceeds 6,900 acres with no reported containment.
- Beachcomb Fire – Has grown to approximately 2,350 acres, also without containment.
All three fires are expanding rapidly due to dry fuels and gusty winds, prompting Red Flag warnings from the National Weather Service for much of eastern Oregon.
Evacuation Orders and Shelter Locations
Evacuation levels vary by fire and county:
- Level 3 “Go Now” orders cover areas such as Upper Seekseequa, Dry Hollow, Lower Seekseequa, Jackson Trail, Tenino Road, and portions of the Warm Springs Reservation.
- Level 2 “Be Set” orders apply to the town of Dayville and surrounding zones.
Designated shelters for Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs members include the Old School Cafeteria (1150 Warm Springs St.) and a Red Cross shelter at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church (341 SW J St., Madras). Large animals may be taken to the Crook County Fairgrounds.
Official Responses and Resource Deployment
The Oregon State Fire Marshal has assigned 37 task forces and strike teams to six incidents, drawing additional resources from California and Washington. The Blue Incident Management Team is actively protecting communities near the Bench and Beachcomb fires. Road closures include Highway 26 near Warm Springs and Highway 218 near Antelope and Clarno, with authorities working to reopen routes as conditions allow.
Outlook and Ongoing Challenges
Red-flag warnings remain in effect through Saturday, and fire growth is expected to continue while dry conditions persist. Officials continue to urge residents to stay informed via county sheriff-office alerts and to avoid non-essential travel in affected corridors.
