Zen fire holds at 1,500 acres in remote area as crews monitor weather conditions
(Update: 1500 acres burned, 3% containment)
PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) - Fire crews are reporting steady progress on a wildfire burning in a remote, hard-to-access area, with improved weather conditions helping slow its spread.
Officials say the fire is holding at about 1,500 acres and is roughly 3% contained, with no new growth reported. Recent rain has played a key role in moderating fire behavior after strong wind gusts — reaching up to 49 miles per hour — helped drive rapid spread when the fire first ignited.
“Anytime you have wind, dryness and heat, that’s a recipe for a fire,” said Suzannah Burke, Public Information Officer for Central Oregon Fire Management Service, noting crews were prepared for the conditions and responded quickly.
The terrain remains one of the biggest challenges. Much of the fire is burning in steep, rugged areas with limited access, making it difficult for crews to fully map the fire perimeter and establish containment lines. Firefighters are relying on a mix of ground crews, air resources and specialized teams to navigate cliffs and narrow canyon areas.
Despite those challenges, suppression efforts are ongoing, with crews working toward full containment as conditions allow.
Looking ahead, officials say cooler temperatures and lighter winds are expected to continue in the coming days, with the possibility of additional rain. While moisture is helping current fire conditions, crews are also watching for lightning associated with storms.
Lightning can create delayed fire starts, smoldering for days before igniting under warmer, drier conditions.
“We do want to monitor if we do have rain for lightning,” Burke said. “Lightning can often lead to a new start. It can smolder for a few days, and then once things warm up, that’s when you can see a fire start.”
As of now, there are no road closures, evacuations or public access restrictions tied to the fire.
Fire officials are also emphasizing prevention as fire season ramps up, noting that more than half of wildfires in Oregon are caused by human activity. They urge the public to follow restrictions and avoid activities like fireworks or open burning.
For the latest updates on wildfires in Central Oregon, visit Central Oregon Fire Info.
Reported on at 1:00 pm, May 26, 2026
PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) - The ZEN Fire is burning south of Clarno in Wasco County and remains at 0% containment as crews continue to monitor and respond to the blaze.
KTVZ's Tracee Tuesday will have a full update on the ZEN Fire, including the fire's current behavior and what is driving its spread, how crews are working to contain it, and what weather conditions firefighters are watching most closely in the next 12 to 24 hours.
We'll also ask fire personnel whether any road closures, evacuations, or public access restrictions could be coming if conditions worsen.
Tune into KTVZ News at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on our FOX affiliate for the latest.
