FIRE ALERT: Deschutes County reduces evacuation levels for Akawa Butte Fire, Level 3 still in place for some areas

(Update: adding additional information from Akawa Butte fire official)

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- As of Sunday, July 26th: Fire crews are expected to establish full control lines around the Akawa Butte Fire near Sisters, Oregon, today. This follows their efforts last night to contain new spot fires through high winds and their preparations for continued hot, dry and windy conditions.

Operations personnel estimate that control lines will be fully in place later today to stop the fire's progression, though this does not signify full containment of the fire.

Crews capitalized on the early morning hours by tying in control lines across the entire fire area. They are also preparing contingency lines along Wilt Road, Indian Ford Road and Forest Service Road 2052 in the southeast and southwest sectors, respectively.

Heavy equipment and ground crews will continue to strengthen these containment lines throughout the day. Helicopters are supporting these ground efforts by performing water drops around the fire.

An unburned pocket of vegetation on the west side of the fire will continue to burn today within the established control lines. Firing operations may be conducted to fully isolate this pocket by removing fuels that could threaten the control lines.

A localized Red Flag Warning is in effect for the fire area from 11 a.m. through 9 p.m. today due to continued hot, dry, windy conditions that can aid in the spread of fire. Weather conditions are expected to improve later this week as lower temperatures and lighter winds help moderate fire behavior.

Some Oregon State Fire Marshal structure protection resources are being reassigned to assist with other wildfires, including the nearby Bench Fire, as conditions and priorities evolve across the region. This strategic sharing aims to position firefighters where they are most needed while maintaining structural protection capabilities at the Akawa Butte Fire.

Resource levels are consistently evaluated based on current fire conditions, community risk and operational needs; additional resources can be requested if conditions change.

The public is asked to take caution and be aware while driving in the region due to increased fire activity and the presence of heavy fire equipment. Closed areas and evacuation orders are currently active to ensure public and firefighter safety.

Containment increases as mop-up efforts reach a depth of 200-300 feet. Evacuation orders are issued by the county sheriff's offices. The Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service have implemented closures in and around the fire area.

Control lines are expected to be fully in place around the body of the fire later today. Weather conditions are predicted to improve later this week, bringing lower temperatures, and lighter winds.

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SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Deschutes County officials reduced evacuation levels for several areas southwest of the Akawa Butte Fire on Sunday, July 26th. While Sisters High School was downgraded to Level 0, many other residential zones were moved to Level 1 or Level 2 status.

Despite these improvements, Level 3 Go Now orders remain active for Squaw Creek Canyon Estates and several forest regions.

Below is the full release from the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office:

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with fire officials, has reduced evacuation levels to some areas on the Southwest and South sides of the Akawa Butte Fire effective at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 26th. One zone, which includes Sisters High School, has been downgraded to normal from Level 1 (Be Ready).

Please drive carefully and respect the roadblocks as they have also moved. Firefighting personnel and equipment are causing significant traffic in the area as they move around to extinguish hot spots near the fire lines. Power may still be out in some areas. CEC is in the process today of inspecting all power lines in the area and will re-energize as it's deemed safe.

Fire conditions can change rapidly, so it’s important to stay alert to changing conditions. The Sheriff’s Office recommends people use the Genasys Protect Map for updated evacuation areas: deschutes.org/emergency or protect.genasys.com

THESE ARE THE CURRENT EVACUATION NOTICES AS OF SUNDAY, JULY 26, 11:30AM:

Road Closures in Effect:

• Wilt Road, North of and including Stardust Ln
• Pine Street at Indian Ford Rd
• Indian Ford Road between Forest Service 700 Road and Meadow View Lane
• Special note.  Homes on the West end of Indian Ford Rd need to be accessed via Hwy 20 and Forest Service 11 Road.

DOWNGRADING FROM Level 3 (Go Now) to Level 2 (Be Set)

• Private Lands on Indian Ford between Hwy 20/Forest Service 11 Road and the Indian Ford Rd and FS 700 Rd intersection.
• Indian Ford Road MP1 and Camp Polk Rd to include Meadowview Lane, Fox Ridge Circle, and Pine Ridge Subdivisions
• USFS lands north of Cascade Meadows Ranch to Indian Ford Creek and west of North Pine Street, including the Zimmerman Butte area.
• Area of Old Wagon Road, West Meadow Parkway, and Tumbleweed Turn
• Area surrounding Camp Polk Cemetery
• Fair Mile Road, South side of Wilt Road, including Suntree Lane

DOWNGRADING FROM Level 2 (Be Set) to Level 1 (Be Ready)

• Cascade Meadow Ranch and Windigo Trail Road
• Areas North of Sisters, including Trapper Point, Crooked Horseshoe
• West of Camp Polk Rd. And north of the Sisters airport, including Pilot Drive and Kittyhawk Ln. 
• Areas Northeast of Sisters, including Upper and Lower Cattle Dr, Old Juniper Rd & Deer Ridge Rd.
• Old Military Drive

DOWNGRADING FROM Level 1 (Be Ready) to Level 0 (Normal)

• West Sisters, including Sisters High School, Sisters Middle School, McKenzie Meadows & area south of Tollgate

Remaining Level 3 (Go Now) evacuation notices

• Squaw Creek Canyon Estates to include areas off Mt. View Road between Appaloosa Drive and Buffalo Drive
• Henkle Butte area, Vista Ridge Drive, Stardust Lane, and Annie’s Drive
• Meadow View Road area between Indian Ford Road and Indian Ford Creek
• Northern end of Mt. View Road
• Wilt Road north of Buffalo Drive to Big Buck Road
• Freemont Canyon area east of Wilt Road and north of Big Buck Road, to include Rimrock Ranch
• Forest land (USFS and private) east of Stevens Canyon Road and south of a line from Stevens Canyon Road and FS 2050/390 spur, east approximately 4 miles to the National Forest Boundary, and South to Wilt Rd. Commonly referred to as the southern portion of Sage Flat. Excluding Fox Ridge Circle and Pine Ridge Road

Remaining Level 2 (Be Set) evacuation notices:

• National Forest areas north of Sisters and south of Cascade Meadow Ranch
• Areas Northeast of Sisters, including Upper and Lower Cattle Dr, Old Juniper Rd & Deer Ridge Rd.
• North side of Goodrich Road up to Whychus Creek, including Goodrich Lane and Whychus Canyon Preserve
• Lower Holmes Road area, north of milepost 5 to Lower Bridge Road
• Area between Whychus Creek and Panoramic Estates, including the north end of Lake Drive.

Remaining Level 1 (Be Ready) evacuation notices:

• West of Highway 20 and East of Black Butte Ranch, Glaze Meadow Area
• National Forest area between the Brooks-Scanlon Logging Road and Highway 20, north of Tollgate Subdivision, south of FS Road 1012.
• Tollgate Subdivision
• West Sisters, including the commercial area and Village at Cold Springs, The Pines at Sisters & the East Portal Interpretive Site
• North Sisters, including part of downtown, the industrial park, Sun Ranch, and Clear Pine
• Areas Northeast of Sisters, including the airport & Barclay Meadows
• East Sisters, including areas East of Locust Street and Timber Creek 
• Areas East of Sisters between Whychus Creek and Hwy 126
• Areas Northeast of Sisters, including McKinney Butte & Wild Horse Ridge
• East of Sisters Between Whychus Creek & Camp Polk Rd, North of Hwy 126, including Junipine Ln, Bradley Rd & Hawks Flight Dr 
• Aspen Lakes
• Panoramic Estates, and Emerald Valley Rd/Sisters View Dr
• Both sides of Edmundson Rd between Goodrich Rd and Holmes Rd, Northern Cloverdale area
• Both sides of Holmes Road from milepost 2.5 to milepost 5, including Wanona Road, Gold Coach Road, and McSwain Drive
• Lower Holmes Road area, north of milepost 5 to Lower Bridge Rd

EVACUTION NOTICE LEVELS

• Level 3 means GO NOW! Residents in this area should leave immediately. Do not take time to gather belongings or attempt to protect property. Drive carefully, use headlights, and follow traffic safety instructions. Do not return until officials announce it is safe.
• Level 2 BE SET means residents should be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice. Conditions may change quickly, and residents should stay alert and keep essential items ready.
• Level 1 BE READY means residents should remain aware of the fire situation and be prepared if evacuation levels increase.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Akawa Fire information can be found at https://facebook.com/akawabuttefire
• The Red Cross continues to support evacuees with a shelter at Sisters High School: 1700 W. McKinney Butte Rd.
• For Pet OR Large Animal Evacuation:
  • The Pet Evacuation Team is available to support animal-related evacuation needs. They can be reached at 541-610-6628.
• For Large Animal Evacuation
  • Mustangs to the Rescue is available by call or text at 541-350-2406. An alternate number for Mustangs to the Rescue is 541-948-9535 (call or text).
• Community members are encouraged to sign up for Deschutes Alerts to receive timely emergency notifications: https://deschutesalerts.org
• For a live map of evacuation areas, visit deschutes.org/emergency or protect.genasys.com
• For additional fire information and regional updates, visit: https://centraloregonfire.org