Central Oregon Wildfires Trigger State Mobilization After Lightning Sparks More Than 85 Blazes
In response to two fires- the Akawa Butte and Brewer fires in Deschutes and Jefferson counties respectively- the Oregon State Fire Marshal is assigning its Red Incident Management Team and several task forces under the Emergency Conflagration Act invoked to protect nearby communities and critical infrastructure.
Firefighter Crews Sent To Deschutes & Jefferson County Fires
Central Oregon Fire issued a release last night confirming that a large number of storm cells that passed through Central Oregon on Wednesday caused lightning strikes- more than 2000 were reported.
In the days that followed, over 85 fires dotted the landscape and stretched resources thin. While many of the starts remained under .1 acre, winds, low humidities, and high temperatures saw some incidents become large fires.
The hot and dry conditions continued to be hot and dry through Saturday. The Akawa Butte, Brewer, and Pilot Fires have been allocated to ODF Team 2. Responses to fires in Deschutes and Jefferson County- the Akawa Butte and Brewer fires- were complicated by the weather and strong, shifting winds, which created difficult firefighting conditions across Central Oregon on Friday.
The fires have grown significantly, threatening nearby communities. For the fifth time in 2026, the Emergency Conflagration Act was invoked.
Sources: Central Oregon Fire Information and Oregon State Fire Marshal
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In addition to the CIMTs, 5 structure task forces from California arrived in Oregon on Friday night, and interagency fire crews are working hard to contain the fires in spite of the continued high temperatures, low relative humidities, and winds.
Personnel are engaging the fires with a mix of engines, hand crews, dozers, skidgines, water tenders, overhead, and aircraft.
Fire management has been prioritizing resources where there will be the highest probability of success.
The Deschutes and Jefferson County sheriff’s offices have levels 1, 2, and 3 evacuation notices in place. Evacuation information is available on social media accounts of local sheriff’s offices.