FIRE ALERT: Update on Rowe Creek Complex wildfire near Fossil
FOSSIL, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Rowe Creek Complex wildfire, which started on July 15th, 2026, due to lightning near Fossil, Oregon, has grown to 208,759 acres and is 31% contained.
Critical fire weather is expected today, Sunday, July 26th, 2026, with the Brewer and Crosswhite fires anticipated to merge in the southern portion of the complex. Evacuation notices are active in Wheeler and Wasco counties and the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is closed due to the fire activity.
The fire complex, which covers a significant area, has 1,292 personnel assigned to manage the incident. A Red Flag Warning is in effect for today from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., indicating conditions conducive to active fire behavior. The alert comes as fire managers anticipate significant activity, particularly in the southern region of the complex, near Highway 26.
Yesterday, critical fire weather increased activity across the complex. In the northern area, crews focused on strengthening containment lines and monitoring for changes.
Firefighters assisted with structure protection around Clarno in anticipation of the Little Buck Fire spreading south toward Highway 218. They also supported three initial attack fires east of the complex while improving fireline and monitoring existing containment.
Along Burnt Ranch Road, the fire remained within established control features as crews built depth with mop-up. The most significant fire behavior occurred in the southern portion, where afternoon activity pushed the fire toward Highway 26 and west toward the Brewer Fire. Crews coordinated with the Oregon Department of Transportation to implement traffic pilot vehicles due to smoke and fire activity.
North of Highway 26, Oregon State Fire Marshals task forces conducted strategic firing operations around structures to establish buffer space by reducing available fuels ahead of the advancing fire. Close coordination remained with the Crosswhite Fire West Zone as active fire persisted near the zone break.
Today, critical fire weather is expected to result in active fire behavior, particularly in the southern portion near Highway 26.
To the north, Oregon State Fire Marshals personnel will monitor growth on the Little Buck Fire and coordinate with the Sheriff's Office and Complex Incident Management Team 10 if fire activity threatens roadways or properties near the northwestern portion of the Crosswhite Fire. Firefighters in this area will strengthen containment lines and monitor fire activity. Resources in the eastern portion of the fire will remain engaged in line improvement.
The primary operational focus for today will remain in the south, where hotshot crews and Oregon State Fire Marshals resources will conduct strategic firing operations around homes to improve structure protection and reduce fire intensity ahead of the main fire.
Crews will construct contingency lines south of Highway 26 to serve as alternate control lines should the fire spread. Firefighters are prepared to carry out firing operations near Highway 26 in close coordination with the Crosswhite Fire West Zone.
An Unmanned Aircraft System will support firing operations and provide situational awareness in the southern portion of the fire.
On the western area of the fire, firefighters will focus on indirect line construction when feasible and mop up existing line to establish containment.
The Crosswhite East fire, part of the complex, measures 191,155 acres and is 21% contained. The Camel Hump Fire covers 6,614 acres and is 37% contained.
Yesterday, crews patrolled and ensured firelines along Highway 207 held, experiencing little growth. Firefighters also assisted with the nearby Iron Fire. Today, crews will monitor fire activity with increased weather, continue patrolling and securing fire line, mop up along Highway 207 and send resources to assist in other areas.
Incident 594, another fire in the complex, is 298 acres with 0% containment.
Yesterday, firefighters finished dozer line around the perimeter and reinforced Highway 207 down to the Mitchell junction, with minimal fire activity. Today, crews will continue securing the line around the perimeter and patrol along Highway 207 to maintain security against southwestern winds.
Residents in Wheeler and Wasco counties should remain aware of current evacuation levels. The Sheriff's Office has Level 1, 2, and 3 notices in place for communities near the active fires.
Wheeler County residents can sign up for alerts at https://oralert.gov/. Wasco County residents can access updates through the Perimeter Maps dashboard at https://perimetermap.com/wascocounty-or/.
In addition to the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, the Bureau of Land Management has closed all Bureau of Land Management-managed land along both sides of the John Day River from Service Creek to the Columbia River. Additional closures may be implemented in Crook County due to nearby wildfires.
Details are available at https://www.blm.gov/programs/fire/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions/. Road conditions and closures can be found at https://www.tripcheck.com/.
A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place for the fire area. Unauthorized drone flights pose serious risks to firefighters, as aerial firefighting is suspended when unauthorized Unmanned Aircraft Systems are present. Information on Temporary Flight Restrictions is available at https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr3/?page=detail_6_4970.
An Incident Specific Red Flag Warning is in effect from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. today. Varying wind speeds and southwestern winds are predicted to affect fire behavior along the southern border. Temperatures are expected to be cooler going into the week, along with lower wind speeds.
The Brewer and Crosswhite fires are expected to merge later today, Sunday, July 26th, 2026. Fire managers are maintaining close coordination with Oregon Department of Forestry Team 3 and Oregon State Fire Marshals as the situation develops.
Cooler temperatures and lower wind speeds are predicted going into the week.
