The Rowe Creek Complex in north-central Oregon remained one of the most significant wildfire incidents in the Pacific Northwest on Sunday, burning 208,759 acres with only 31% containment as of July 26, 2026. The lightning-caused fire ignited July 15 near Fossil, Oregon, and has grown explosively through a landscape of grass, juniper, and timber under relentless hot and dry conditions.

Fire Behavior and Operational Focus

Critical fire weather pushed aggressive behavior across the complex on Saturday, particularly in the southern zone near Highway 26. Afternoon winds drove the main fire toward U.S. 26 and west toward the neighboring Brewer Fire. The Oregon Department of Transportation coordinated with crews to implement pilot car escorts through smoke-choked stretches of the highway.

The Crosswhite East Zone, the largest component of the complex, has burned 191,155 acres and is only 21% contained. Hotshot crews and Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) task forces conducted strategic firing operations around homes in the southern sector to reduce available fuels ahead of the advancing fire front — a tactic designed to protect structures by eliminating the fuel that would otherwise carry fire into neighborhoods.

In the north, OSFM personnel monitored growth on the embedded Little Buck Fire, coordinating with Wheeler County Sheriff's Office as that arm of the complex threatened roadways and properties near the northwestern portion of the Crosswhite Fire.

Red Flag Warning in Effect

A Red Flag Warning was in effect from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday for the fire area. Firefighters anticipated active fire behavior to continue through the day, especially near Highway 26, where crews were positioned to execute additional firing operations and construct contingency lines south of the highway to serve as alternate control features.

Fire managers expected the Brewer and Crosswhite fires to merge during the day, requiring close coordination between multiple incident management teams operating in adjacent zones.

Resources Assigned

  • Personnel: 1,292
  • Crews: 39
  • Dozers: 22
  • Engines: 78
  • Skidgines: 7
  • Aerial Resources: 1

Evacuations and Closures

Level 1, 2, and 3 evacuation notices remain in effect for areas in both Wheeler and Wasco counties. Wheeler County residents are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts at OAlert.gov. Wasco County residents can access updates through the Perimeter Maps dashboard. BLM has closed all BLM-managed land along both sides of the John Day River from Service Creek to the Columbia River.

Updates are available on the Central Oregon Fire Information website and through InciWeb at inciweb.wildfire.gov.