Central Oregon faces extreme fire behavior as Brewer, Green Mountain, and Crosswhite wildfires impact Crook County
PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Fire crews are battling multiple wildfires across Central Oregon, with the Brewer Fire continuing to burn near Prineville and threatening hundreds of homes.
The Brewer, Green Mountain, and Crosswhite fires are burning across a mix of terrain and land ownership, stretching resources across Crook, Jefferson, and Wheeler counties. The response includes coordination between local, state, and federal agencies.
Officials say the fires are impacting land managed by the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Oregon Department of Forestry. Resources from the Oregon State Fire Marshal have also been deployed as flames threaten nearby homes and structures.
“We work in unified command to protect communities and to try to suppress the wildfires,” said Derek Gasperini, a public information officer with the Oregon Department of Forestry.
Firefighters are using aircraft to drop water and slow fire activity, allowing crews on the ground to build containment lines. However, steep and remote terrain is making access difficult in some areas.
Strong winds are also increasing the danger, carrying embers beyond containment lines and sparking new spot fires.
“With extreme fire behavior, we go as direct as possible,” Gasperini said. “Sometimes spot fires jump over that line. We have to fall back and start new indirect line.”
Structural protection teams are working ahead of the flames, clearing brush and setting up water systems around homes in the fire’s projected path.
Officials say at least 556 primary residences are currently threatened by the Brewer Fire, with additional homes at risk from the Crosswhite Fire.
“It’s a very dynamic fire, a lot of movement, and we’re trying to get every structure that could be in the predictive path prepped,” said Toni Brimmer with the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Authorities say hot, dry, and windy conditions — combined with drought-stressed vegetation — are fueling extreme fire behavior across the region.
Evacuation levels are changing rapidly, and residents are urged to stay informed through their county sheriff’s office and be ready to act.
“It’s a very dynamic situation,” Gasperini said. “Be prepared, watch those evacuation levels, and be ready to act accordingly.”
Fire officials also remind the public to avoid activities that could spark new fires, as crews remain focused on containing the blazes already burning.
