Full Breakdown
Central Oregon Wildfires Intensify Amid Red-Flag Conditions
7/27/2026, 2:30:38 AM
Recent Season Overview
The Northwest Interagency Coordination Center (NWCC) tracks fire activity across Oregon and Washington. Historic peaks occurred in 2020, when 1,983,971 acres burned, and again in 2024, when 2,074,579 acres were consumed. After a dip in 2022-2023, the 2025 season saw fewer than 1 million acres burned. As of Sunday, July 26, 2026, the NWCC reports more than 1 million acres burned across the Northwest and 95 large fires active. Red-flag warnings—high temperatures, low humidity, gusty winds—have been frequent this summer, especially in central and eastern Oregon.
Current Fires and Operational Details
Central Oregon crews are managing several incidents:
- Ten Mile Fire – Type 3 team oversees a 4,774-acre blaze 11 mi northeast of Madras. Crews have strengthened control lines and cooled ground where lingering juniper clumps retain heat.
- Incident #586 – Mapped at 191 acres north of the Ten Mile Fire, crews are securing control lines.
- North Crooked Fire – Burning 31 acres about seven miles north of Paulina; crews have improved lines and conducted mop-up.
- Rowe Creek Complex – Includes the Crosswhite Fire (over 175,000 acres, 20 % containment), the Camel Hump Fire (6,614 acres, 37 % containment), and smaller incidents such as Incident 594 (298 acres, 0 % containment). Crews are constructing primary lines along Highway 26, conducting strategic firing around structures, and using an unmanned aircraft system for situational awareness.
Agency Actions and Public Safety Measures
- Jefferson and Wasco County Sheriff’s Offices have placed Level 1-3 evacuation notices on communities near the fires. Residents can sign up for alerts via oralert.gov or monitor updates through the Perimeter Maps dashboard.
- The BLM and U.S. Forest Service have closed BLM-managed lands along both sides of the John Day River from Service Creek to the Columbia River, with additional closures possible in Crook County.
- The National Park Service has closed the Clarno and Painted Hills units of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.
- A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in effect; unauthorized drones pose safety risks to aerial firefighting assets and can suspend air operations.
- ODOT has deployed traffic-pilot vehicles on affected roadways; motorists should check ODOT’s tripcheck.com site for current road statuses.
Data & Statistics
- Ten Mile Fire: 4,774 acres; control lines reinforced.
- Incident #586: 191 acres; footprint stable.
- North Crooked Fire: 31 acres; mop-up ongoing.
- Crosswhite Fire: >175,000 acres, 20 % containment.
- Camel Hump Fire: 6,614 acres, 37 % containment.
- Incident 594: 298 acres, 0 % containment.
- NWCC 2026 season (as of July 26): >1 million acres burned; 95 large fires reported.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The Crosswhite Fire’s reported acreage increased between two recent updates. No other numerical discrepancies appear across the sources.
What’s Next
Red-flag conditions are expected to persist through the evening, with forecasts calling for continued high temperatures, low humidity, and northwest winds up to 25 mph. Agencies will maintain evacuation alerts, enforce drone restrictions, and continue line-building and strategic firing operations, especially along Highway 26, to limit further fire spread.
