A wildfire that ignited north of Antelope on the Fourth of July has been fully contained after burning 1,261 acres of grass, brush, and sage, according to the Wasco County Sheriff's Office and Central Oregon Fire Information.
The Antelope Creek Fire started at 12:39 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, on private land approximately one mile north of the City of Antelope. Fanned by hot, dry conditions and winds, the fire moved quickly through the landscape — at one point threatening 10 primary structures and prompting Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation orders for Antelope residents.
Evacuations Lifted, Fire Fully Out
By Monday, July 6, the Wasco County Sheriff's Office announced that all evacuation orders had been lifted and the fire reached 100% containment. Mop-up operations continued throughout the day to eliminate any remaining heat along the fire perimeter.
Fire resources on the incident included three engines, 10 smokejumpers, one dozer, one water tender, and crews from the Ashwood Rural Fire Protection Association. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
A Close Call for Antelope
The small community of Antelope — which sits near the Jefferson-Wasco county line and is known to many Jefferson County residents — felt the threat acutely. At its peak, the fire's rapid spread forced the Level 3 order that required immediate evacuation of the town. No structures were reported destroyed.
The fire is a stark reminder that the region's fire season arrived early and aggressively in 2026. Multiple fires ignited across Central Oregon over the July 4th holiday weekend, including the Peninsula Fire at Crooked River Ranch and several other incidents from Bend to Redmond.
Jefferson County is currently under summer burn restrictions. Open burning is closed. Residents should report any new wildfires immediately by calling 9-1-1.