A half-acre wildfire broke out Sunday afternoon near White Rock Campground in the Ochoco National Forest, about 15 miles east of Prineville. Air tankers and helicopters dropped retardant and water, halting the fire's spread. No evacuations were ordered. Jefferson County's summer burn ban remains in effect countywide.

With temperatures forecast to hit 98–99°F and fire fuels tinder-dry, Stage 1 fire restrictions remain in place on the Ochoco National Forest, Crooked River National Grassland, and Prineville BLM lands. Open burning has been banned county-wide since May.

A new wildfire started Sunday afternoon in the Ochoco National Forest, roughly 15 miles east of Prineville, prompting an interagency initial attack response as fire danger stays elevated across the region.

With temperatures soaring and humidity at critical lows, fire officials are urging Jefferson County residents to observe all burn restrictions as wildfires erupt across Oregon. The Antelope Creek Fire near Central Oregon is now 80% contained, but a fast-moving 1,550-acre blaze in southern Oregon this weekend underscores just how dangerous conditions remain.

Jefferson County fire crews responded to multiple fires over the Independence Day holiday weekend, including the Peninsula Fire near Crooked River Ranch. Outdoor burning is currently closed across the county — and with extreme fire danger conditions persisting, officials urge extra vigilance through midsummer.

With national fire preparedness now at Level 4 out of 5 and multiple fires burning across Oregon, Jefferson County residents are being urged to stay vigilant. Meanwhile, Pacific Power’s fire-safety outage protocols have frustrated local residents and irrigation districts.

With the 2026 fire season well underway and two fires already burning over the holiday weekend, fire officials urge Central Oregon residents to know the restrictions, drown their campfires, and keep sparks off federal land.

The Coyner Fire, which ignited the evening of July 4th northwest of Redmond on BLM land, reached 20.5 acres and is now 50% contained as of Tuesday morning. All evacuation notices have been lifted.

A wind-driven brush fire threatened a home on SW Peninsula Drive on July 4th before crews from Crooked River Ranch Fire & Rescue and Redmond Fire contained it to less than half an acre. Goat grazing on the property helped slow the blaze.

A fast-moving grass fire ignited north of Antelope on the Fourth of July, forcing Level 3 evacuations for the town before crews brought it fully under control by Monday. The 1,261-acre fire is the largest to hit the region this holiday weekend.

A wind-driven brush fire broke out on Southwest Peninsula Drive on the Fourth of July, threatening a home and outbuildings before crews contained it at 1.2 acres. Officials credited the property owner's goat-grazing program for slowing the spread.