Antelope Creek Fire Burns Near Antelope, Oregon on Fourth of July; Wasco County Evacuations Ordered

A fast-moving wildfire sparked on the Fourth of July approximately one mile north of the city of Antelope in Wasco County, Oregon, quickly growing to over 1,200 acres and prompting emergency evacuations as interagency crews scrambled to establish containment lines.

Fire Details

The Antelope Creek Fire was reported at 12:39 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, 2026, burning through grass, brush, and sage in high desert terrain typical of north-central Oregon. As of the most recent update at 10:00 p.m. Saturday, the fire had burned approximately 1,261 acres and was 10% contained.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Ten primary structures have been identified as at risk, and crews are working to protect them as fire behavior continues under warm and dry July conditions.

Evacuations in Wasco County

Wasco County officials have issued Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation orders for affected areas surrounding the fire. Residents in the evacuation zone are urged to leave immediately. Full evacuation maps and details are available through Wasco County Emergency Management at wascocountyor.gov.

A Level 3 evacuation order represents the highest urgency — leave immediately without delay. Residents should bring medications, pets, important documents, and essential supplies.

Resources Deployed

A substantial aerial and ground response has been mounted on the Antelope Creek Fire, including:

3 engines
2 helicopters
8 single-engine air tankers (SEATs)
1 dozer
Antelope Rural Fire Protection Association resources

Interagency crews have established a dozer line around approximately 40% of the fire’s perimeter, and retardant drops have been applied across the fire’s north flank to slow its spread.

Multi-Agency Coordination

The Bureau of Land Management is coordinating the Antelope Creek Fire response in partnership with the newly established U.S. Wildland Fire Service and the Central Oregon Fire Management Service (COFMS). Residents and visitors in Central Oregon may notice multiple agency logos and interagency COFMS prevention patrols throughout the region, reflecting a unified effort to suppress wildland fires during this elevated-risk period.

Central Oregon Fire Conditions

The Antelope Creek Fire is one of several fire concerns across Central Oregon as a prolonged dry stretch continues to cure fuels across the high desert. Conditions in the region remain favorable for rapid fire spread, and fire managers urge the public to avoid any activities that could spark a fire — including target shooting with steel-core ammunition, off-highway vehicle use in dry grass, and any open burning.