Firefighters reach 64% containment on Rowe Creek Complex; Red Flag Warning issued for extreme heat

Firefighters have increased containment to 64 percent on the lightning-caused Rowe Creek Complex, which has now burned 344,834 acres. Despite this progress, officials have issued a Red Flag Warning for today due to record heat and critically dry conditions.

Today is considered a critical day for fire activity. Temperatures are expected to reach 99 degrees, while humidity will drop into the single digits. These conditions, combined with unstable air, mean the fire is likely to stay active all day and may produce large columns of smoke.

Current Operations and Progress

• Highway 26 and FSR 500: These roads remain critical parts of the containment strategy. Overnight, crews successfully used "strategic ignitions"—controlled burns along these routes—to widen the buffer between the road and the main fire.
• Spot Fires and Breaches: Firefighters quickly responded to a spot fire south of Forest Service Road (FSR) 500 and suppressed a line breach east of Cherry Creek.
• Protecting Communities: Near Prineville, crews are focused on securing lines to prevent any property loss. Firefighters are also checking for hidden heat in juniper trees near the Brewer Reservoir.
• Command Change: Following successful work to protect homes, the Oregon State Fire Marshal Blue Incident Management Team is demobilizing today. Structure protection groups remain in place to actively defend buildings around Mill, Marks, and Hamilton Creeks.

A public meeting is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. August 6, at Barnes Butte Elementary School (1875 NE Ironhorse Drive, Prineville). Fire leaders will provide updates and answer questions. The meeting will also be livestreamed on the Rowe Creek Fire Facebook page.

Important Safety Links and Resources Evacuation Maps:

Closures and Air Quality: