The Rowe Creek Complex wildfire, which started on July 15th, 2026, due to lightning near Fossil, Oregon, has grown to 208,759 acres and is 31% contained. Critical fire weather is expected today, with the Brewer and Crosswhite fires anticipated to merge in the southern portion of the complex.
Evacuation Notices and Firefighting Efforts
Evacuation notices are active in Wheeler and Wasco counties, and the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is closed due to the fire activity. The fire complex has 1,292 personnel assigned to manage the incident. A Red Flag Warning is in effect from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., indicating conditions conducive to active fire behavior.
Firefighters assisted with structure protection around Clarno in anticipation of the Little Buck Fire spreading south toward Highway 218. They also supported three initial attack fires east of the complex while improving fireline and monitoring existing containment.
Along Burnt Ranch Road, the fire remained within established control features as crews built depth with mop-up. The most significant fire behavior occurred in the southern portion, where afternoon activity pushed the fire toward Highway 26 and west toward the Brewer Fire.
Fire Management and Containment
Crews coordinated with the Oregon Department of Transportation to implement traffic pilot vehicles due to smoke and fire activity. North of Highway 26, Oregon State Fire Marshals task forces conducted strategic firing operations around structures to establish buffer space by reducing available fuels ahead of the advancing fire.
Close coordination remained with the Crosswhite Fire West Zone as active fire persisted near the zone break. Today, critical fire weather is expected to result in active fire behavior, particularly in the southern portion near Highway 26.
The primary operational focus for today will remain in the south, where hotshot crews and Oregon State Fire Marshals resources will conduct strategic firing operations around homes to improve structure protection and reduce fire intensity ahead of the main fire.
Crews will construct contingency lines south of Highway 26 to serve as alternate control lines should the fire spread. Firefighters are prepared to carry out firing operations near Highway 26 in close coordination with the Crosswhite Fire West Zone.
An Unmanned Aircraft System will support firing operations and provide situational awareness in the southern portion of the fire. On the western area of the fire, firefighters will focus on indirect line construction when feasible and mop up existing line to establish containment.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
