PRINEVILLE, Ore. - Here's Tuesday night's update on the nearly 300,000-acre Rowe Creek Complex West Zone, formerly the Brewer Fire, from the Facebook page:

Hard-Won Progress Holds as Firefighters Strengthen Lines Across Rowe Creek Complex-West Zone

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (July 28, 2026) — Firefighters continued to build on several days of hard-fought progress across the Rowe Creek Complex-West Zone today, holding key control lines and strengthening defenses around communities, homes and critical infrastructure.

Along the western edge of the fire, activity has slightly moderated compared to previous operational periods, allowing crews to focus on locating and extinguishing hotspots and reinforcing existing containment features. Hose lays installed along the southwest heel of the fire are supporting suppression efforts, while firefighters continue working to secure remaining pockets of heat.

On the northern portion of the fire, resources are working closely with Rangeland Fire Protection Associations (RFPA) to directly engage the fire where conditions allow. Crews are focusing on tying together the few remaining sections of unlined perimeter and strengthening control features established during recent operations.

Fire managers report increasing confidence in the work completed across the northern portion of the West Zone and continue to monitor conditions closely.

South of the fire, firefighters and heavy equipment operators worked throughout the McKay Creek and Allen Creek Road areas to improve protection around homes and infrastructure.

Further east, south of the Mill Creek Wilderness, established machine lines continue to hold. Fire managers anticipate additional opportunities to strengthen and improve those lines if weather conditions remain similar over the next operational period. Additional resources from neighboring incidents have provided critical support in strengthening containment lines and reinforcing efforts to keep the fire north of Highway 26.

As fire activity increased near Johnson Creek Road last night, local officials adjusted evacuation levels in some areas as a precautionary measure and notified affected residents directly. Evacuation levels are determined by the local sheriff’s office, to provide residents with adequate time to prepare, should conditions change.

Fire personnel remain in close coordination with ODOT as suppression operations continue near Highway 26. Traffic impacts are expected to continue, including changing closure patterns designed to support firefighter and public safety. Travelers are encouraged to check current conditions on TripCheck.com before traveling and use caution when driving through areas impacted by fire.

(U.S. Highway 26 reopened for a time, but in limited fashion Tuesday evening, with pilot cars guiding traffic between mileposts 40 and 53, about 20 miles east of Prineville. It was closed again overnight for crews to work in the area, with pilot-car traffic resuming at 6 a.m. Wednesday.)

While significant work remains, firefighters continue to hold onto gains made over recent operational periods. Crews will remain focused on strengthening containment lines, protecting communities and taking advantage of opportunities to increase containment as conditions allow.

Evacuations:

Level 1, 2 and 3 evacuations are in effect for the Rowe Creek Complex – West Zone. County sheriff’s offices issue evacuation orders. The most current evacuation information is available at:

Crook County:

www.facebook.com/CrookCountySheriff

Jefferson County:

www.facebook.com/JeffersonCountyORSheriff/

Smoke Impacts:

Smoke from the Rowe Creek Complex – West Zone fires may be visible in Prineville and surrounding areas, reducing visibility and impacting air quality in nearby communities. Smoke conditions can change throughout the day as winds shift. Individuals sensitive to smoke should take appropriate precautions. For current air quality information and smoke forecasts, visit:

https://fire.airnow.gov/

Closures:

BLM has issued closures for lands in and near the fires. See below for current information:

BLM Closures and Restrictions:

https://www.blm.gov/.../oregon-washington/fire-restrictions

USFS has issued closures for lands in and near the fires. See below for current information:

USFS Closures and Restrictions:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/ochoco/alerts

If You Fly, We Can’t: Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR):

A “TFR” is in place for the fire area daily (24 hours) until further notice. Flying a drone near or around a wildfire is illegal and compromises the safety of both pilots and firefighters and interferes with firefighting efforts. If you fly, we can’t. All illegal drone use will be reported to law enforcement.