State of Oregon

07/30/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/30/2026 14:27

Containment on Second Flat Fire jumps to 18 percent as blaze surpasses 100,000 acres

Containment on Second Flat Fire jumps to 18 percent as blaze surpasses 100,000 acres
Crews using aircraft to protect transmission lines near Burns and Hines while bracing for critical fire weather
Burns Fire Department

Firefighters have made significant gains on the Second Flat Fire, increasing containment to 18 percent. The lightning-caused blaze is now estimated at 100,977 acres as it continues to burn in the Burns Basin area.

Crews working through the night, including engines, dozers, and hand crews, successfully kept the fire within established containment lines. Strategic efforts today are focused on the following areas:

  • Eastern Edge: Firefighters are using direct line construction to strengthen the fire's perimeter.
  • Southern Front: Aircraft are being deployed to protect critical infrastructure, specifically transmission lines that serve the communities of Burns and Hines.
  • Safety: Public and firefighter safety remains the top priority, alongside the protection of local structures.

A total of 208 firefighters are currently dedicated specifically to the Second Flat Fire. Following Governor Kotek's invocation of the Emergency Conflagration Act on July 26, the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) continues to support the incident with five structural task forces operating on both day and night shifts. These resources provide essential mutual aid to support local firefighting needs.

Weather and Fuel Conditions: Fire managers warn that fuels are critically dry across the region. Near-critical fire weather conditions are expected to persist through Friday. The forecast calls for continued hot and dry weather with relative humidity in the low teens and terrain-driven afternoon winds. No precipitation is expected before a dry cold front moves through the region later this week.

Evacuations and Public Information: Those near the fire should monitor the latest updates and view interactive maps through Genasys Protect, the Harney County Sheriff's Office, and Harney County Emergency Management.

For daily updates, the public can visit the 2026 Burns Basin Fires Facebook page or view video updates on the CAIIMT4 YouTube channel. A fire information line is available at 541-970-7130 between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM.

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State of Oregon published this content on July 30, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on July 30, 2026 at 20:28 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]