The Flat Fire burning approximately two miles northeast of Sisters, Oregon has reached 67 percent containment at an estimated 23,346 acres, according to the Oregon Department of Forestry's final incident update issued Tuesday. Despite ongoing critical fire weather conditions, established fire lines are holding and suppression repair work is progressing steadily across the incident area.

Fire Status

Oregon Department of Forestry Complex Incident Management Team 3 (CIMT) is preparing to transfer command of the Flat Fire back to the local district, with a tentative transfer of command scheduled for 7 a.m. Thursday. A smaller incident management organization will continue suppression efforts following the handoff.

Crews are focused on patrolling the fire perimeter to identify and extinguish remaining heat and smoke. Suppression repair work is also underway, including repairing dozer lines and installing water bars to reduce erosion. Resources assigned to the Flat Fire remain on standby to support the local district with initial attack response should new fires emerge in the area.

Evacuation Levels Downgraded

In positive news for residents, all evacuation levels for the Flat Fire area have been dropped to Level 1 ("Be Ready"), down from the higher warning levels that were in place earlier in the incident. Residents in Level 1 zones should have emergency supplies prepared and be ready to leave on short notice.

Jefferson and Deschutes County Sheriffs have been coordinating evacuation notifications throughout the incident. Current evacuation status can be verified through official county sheriff social media channels and the regional GIS evacuation map.

Ongoing Fire Weather Concerns

Fire managers emphasized that critical fire weather — including hot, dry conditions and a chance of thunderstorms — continues to pose a threat even as the Flat Fire trends toward full containment. Fire danger remains elevated in the area, and residents are reminded to follow current fire restrictions:

  • Oregon Department of Forestry restrictions apply across state and private forestlands
  • Deschutes National Forest Stage 1 restrictions took effect May 18
  • Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland restrictions are in effect
  • BLM Oregon/Washington restrictions went into effect May 14

Traffic Advisory

ODF noted that the area is experiencing increased school traffic following the end of the school year. Residents are asked to observe posted speed limits, watch for children and school buses near schools, and give fire crews and equipment plenty of room to operate safely in and around the fire area.

The Flat Fire is one of several fires that have tested Central Oregon resources in recent weeks as the region moves into what forecasters are warning could be a particularly active fire season driven by drought, low snowpack, and early season heat.