The Rowe Creek Complex Fire continues to challenge crews across a wide swath of north-central Oregon, with the blaze now covering 329,012 acres and holding at 62% containment as of Wednesday, August 5. The lightning-caused fire, burning approximately 10 miles south of Fossil, has kept 1,783 firefighters working across multiple fronts since its ignition on July 15.

Highway 26 Still Closed

US Highway 26 remains closed through the fire corridor, and officials say reopening is not imminent. The road closure is necessary due to ongoing burnout preparation, hazard tree removal, aerial firefighting operations, and heavy equipment traffic along the corridor. Firefighters are actively clearing vegetation from the roadside, and the area poses unseen dangers — including fire-weakened trees and loosened overhead rock — that make it unsafe for the public.

Crews continue prepping Forest Service Road 3350 for a burnout operation aimed at reducing vegetation between the uncontained fire and the eastern outskirts of Prineville. A public community meeting was held Thursday evening at Barnes Butte Elementary School in Prineville, and was livestreamed at facebook.com/rowecreekcomplex for those unable to attend.

Worsening Weather Ahead

The forecast is not encouraging. Temperatures are climbing into the upper 90s with northwest winds gusting up to 18 mph. Critically, there is no significant precipitation in the forecast for the coming week. Fire managers warn that the burn window is extending — with active fire behavior starting earlier in the day and lasting later into the evening as humidity continues to drop.

"This weather trend will also extend the length of the burn period each day, so active fire behavior will start earlier in the day and extend later into the evening." — Rowe Creek Complex fire officials

Air Quality Fluctuating

Air quality in the region has ranged from Good to Hazardous in recent days, and conditions can change rapidly with shifting winds. Residents throughout Jefferson County and the surrounding area should monitor conditions at fire.airnow.gov and take precautions on smoky days — particularly vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions.

What Jefferson County Residents Should Know

  • Evacuation maps: Jefferson County residents can monitor current evacuation levels at tinyurl.com/bdz88ufn
  • Road closures: Check tripcheck.com for current highway status
  • Fire restrictions: Stage 2 restrictions remain in effect across Central Oregon public lands — all campfires banned
  • No drones: A temporary flight restriction is in place over the fire area. Unauthorized drone flights are illegal.

Residents are urged to sign up for emergency alerts through the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office to receive phone notifications of any evacuation level changes. While the Rowe Creek Complex is centered in Wheeler and Grant counties, the closure of US 26 continues to affect regional travel and commerce throughout Jefferson County and beyond.