Butte Creek

## Butte Creek Fire Report - July 28, 2025 ### Fire Start, Size and Growth **Start Date/Time/Location**: The Butte Creek Fire was first reported on May 25, 2025, around 2:37 p.m. near Clarno, Oregon. **Size and Containment**: As of July 25, 2025, the Butte Creek Fire was 70% contained and had burned 2,079 acres. Earlier reports from May 26, 2025, indicated the fire had grown to approximately 2,000 acres. **Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread**: The fire is burning in grass, brush, and scattered timber. It is located in steep, rugged terrain within the Beaver Creek drainage. Fire activity has been characterized by creeping, smoldering, and backing, with some potential for isolated torching in unburned interior areas. Firefighters have been working on constructing and securing containment lines, including strategic firing operations. **Containment Efforts**: Suppression efforts are being conducted by Warm Springs Agency Fire Management, with support from Wheeler County Fire and Rescue and other interagency fire crews. Resources have included engines, air tankers, helicopters, and hotshot crews. Containment efforts have focused on securing fire lines, felling hazard trees, and extinguishing hot spots. ### Emergency Information **Evacuations and Sheltering:** **Evacuation Orders**: As of July 19, 2025, the Warm Springs Police Department had issued Level 3 ("Go Now") evacuation notices for Jefferson Street and Simnasho. Other areas were under Level 2 ("Be Ready") and Level 1 ("Be Ready") notices. By July 20, 2025, some evacuation notices were downgraded, with the Simnasho Zone moving to Level 2, and areas near the fire moving to Level 1. **Evacuation Shelters and Information**: Information on evacuation zones and maps can be found through the Warm Springs Police Department and local emergency alert systems. **Road and Infrastructure Closures:** Highway 26 was closed in both directions from the Highway 26/216 junction to Bureau of Indian Affairs Route 3 at Warm Springs as of July 19, 2025. BIA Highway 9, from the Simnasho exit off Highway 26 to the Highway 3 junction, was scheduled to be lifted on July 25, 2025. **For more information, visit:** * [Central Oregon Fire Information](http://centraloregonfire.org) * [TripCheck for travel updates](https://www.tripcheck.com/) * [Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Fire Management](https://www.warmsprings-nsn.gov/fire-management/) ### Current Impact **Impacts:** **Structures Impacted**: While early reports indicated some structures were threatened, specific details on structures destroyed or damaged by the Butte Creek Fire have not been extensively detailed in recent reports. **School and Business Closures**: No specific school or business closures directly related to the Butte Creek Fire have been reported in the last 72 hours. **Notable Impacts**: Boaters on the John Day River have been advised to use caution due to helicopter water dips for firefighting operations. **Safety Concerns:** **Power Outages**: No power outages directly attributed to the Butte Creek Fire have been reported. **Water Safety**: No specific water safety concerns have been reported. **Burn Bans**: Information on current burn bans and fire restrictions can be found through the Oregon Department of Forestry and Deschutes National Forest. **Air Quality**: Smoke production from the Butte Creek Fire has been limited, with Good Air Quality Index (AQI) expected across the forecast area. However, areas in close proximity to the fire may experience some smoke impacts overnight and in the early morning. A separate haystack fire along Highway 93 near Willowdale has also been contributing to localized smoke. ### Ongoing Outlook **Containment Projections**: As of July 25, 2025, the fire was 70% contained. Firefighters are continuing suppression efforts, including patrolling and securing containment lines. **Weather and Wind Warnings**: Over the past 72 hours, weather conditions have included warmer and drier air, with northwest and west winds gusting up to 25 miles per hour at times. Forecasts indicate continued warm temperatures with lower humidity levels, though cooler temperatures are anticipated in the coming days. ### Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate **Cause**: The cause of the Butte Creek Fire is currently under investigation. **Weather and Climate**: The fire started in conditions conducive to rapid spread, with strong winds contributing to its growth. The region is experiencing a fire season with expectations of hot and dry conditions, increasing the overall risk of wildfire activity. ### **For more information, visit:** * [Central Oregon Fire Information](http://centraloregonfire.org) * [Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Fire Management](https://www.warmsprings-nsn.gov/fire-management/) * [Oregon Department of Forestry](https://www.oregon.gov/odf/Pages/index.aspx)

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