Overview:
As of Monday, Aug. 25, the fast-moving Flat Fire in Central Oregon was 5% contained.
As of Monday, Aug. 25, the fast-moving Flat Fire in Central Oregon was 5% contained. Eric Perkins, operations section chief for the Oregon Department of Forestry, reported on Monday morning that the fire stopped advancing forward. “Lots of structures in along this southern end of the fire as it moves into town … that fire isn’t moving anymore. We’re securing the control line, starting to mop it in, and feel pretty comfortable about where we’re at.” Efforts from the community — including more than 800 firefighters — combined with cooler, rainy weather, have helped slow the fire’s progression.
The Flat Fire in Central Oregon broke out Thursday afternoon, Aug. 21, and officials declared it a conflagration the next day — meaning it’s big enough and dangerous enough to require resources from multiple agencies. Since Thursday, local and regional firefighters have been working around the clock to battle the blaze. The flames are burning across a mix of public and private lands managed by the Oregon Department of Forestry, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Ochoco National Forest and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Officials have determined that the fire was human-caused.
Over the weekend, dry and windy conditions caused the Flat Fire to spread forcefully across Central Oregon. Officials elevated evacuation orders for several communities as the blaze reached nearly 22,000 acres and crept dangerously close to Sisters and Cloverdale, putting nearly 4,000 homes at risk.
“Our firefighters are working under critical weather conditions and some very challenging terrain,” said Aaron Whiteley, incident commander at the Oregon Department of Forestry. “We’re going to continue the aggressive firefighting that local resources and partners started.”
As of Sunday, Aug. 24, over 800 homes and structures are still within the fire perimeter. Four homes and six structures were destroyed by the fire.
“This is tough for local community members. Earlier this summer they had to endure the Alder Springs Fires, now this one is adjacent to that burned area impacting many of the same folks,” said Ron Graham, deputy chief of Oregon Department of Forestry’s Protection Division.
New evacuations ordered
On Sunday, Aug. 24, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office issued urgent Level 3 evacuation orders for several locations. The Aspen Lakes Subdivision off Camp Polk Road was elevated to this critical status, along with both sides of Edmundson Road between Holmes Road and Goodrich Road.
“We’re fighting this fire aggressively and safely, in cooperation with a lot of partners to save homes in these communities,” said Perkins.
Understanding evacuation levels
Oregon uses a straightforward three-tier system for evacuations.
Level 3 (GO NOW) means exactly that — leave immediately. Don’t pack, don’t try to protect your house, just go. Emergency services might not be able to help you if you stick around. Areas under this urgent order include Aspen Lakes Subdivision off Camp Polk Road, both sides of Edmundson Road between Holmes and Goodrich roads, the area between Wilt Road mile marker 4 west to Stevens Canyon north to the county line, Whychus Canyon Estates south to Camp Polk Road, both sides of Wilt Road north to the Deschutes/Jefferson County line, areas north and west of Holmes Road north of mile marker 5 to Lower Bridge Road, all of McKenzie Canyon Road, and Panoramic Estates off Camp Polk Road.
Level 2 (GET SET) areas should be ready to bolt at a moment’s notice. You might have time to grab essentials, but that’s risky. These zones include the area between Camp Polk Road west along Highway 126 including the Junipine Lane area north to Old Military Road, the area north and east of Lower Bridge Road to the Deschutes River, and areas north of Highway 126 including Goodrich Road, Holmes Road and Fadjur Lane.
Level 1 (BE READY) means start preparing and keep your ears open for updates. These areas include the north side of East Indian Ford Road from Wilt Road to Forest Service Road 2050, the Dry Canyon area between Lower Bridge Road south to Highway 126, and the area between Indian Ford Creek and Wychus Creek north of Highway 126.
Where to go
For those needing to evacuate, several support locations are available. Highland Baptist Church at 3100 SW Highland Ave. in Redmond serves as the primary temporary evacuation site, welcoming everyone with information, food and safe shelter. The facility accommodated 40 people on Aug. 23, with 31 staying in RVs parked outside and nine sheltering inside the building. RV owners have an additional option at the Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center, which offers parking through Tuesday, Aug. 26. A complete list of shelters can be found at deschutes.org/shelter.
Large animals can be sheltered at Kerley Horse Center at 11997 SW Cornett Loop in Powell Butte (541-598-6358) or at Jefferson County Fairgrounds.
Dealing with smoke
Central Oregon’s air quality has shown improvement since the rain began. With the fire 5% contained, however, wildfire smoke is likely to continue after the rain passes. For many, wildfire smoke poses serious health risks, especially for people with breathing problems, older adults and children.
“Wildfire smoke contains fine particles that can be harmful to your health,” said Heather Kaisner, Deschutes County Public Health director. “People with asthma or other lung conditions should keep medications handy and contact their doctor if needed.”
With several fires burning statewide, the State Accident Insurance Fund in Oregon reminds employers to protect workers from smoke exposure, which can cause reduced lung function, fatigue, eye irritation and breathing problems.
“Smoke is complex,” said Kim Henry, an industrial hygienist at SAIF. “It could contain everything from burned trees to car tire fumes, and it can travel hundreds or thousands of miles.”
Employers should provide proper respirators based on air quality, shut down outside air intakes for indoor workers and relocate or stop outdoor work when conditions become hazardous. Under Oregon’s heat illness prevention rule, employers must provide water, rest, shade and training when temperatures hit 80 degrees or higher.
To stay safe, keep windows and doors closed, use an air purifier if you have one, run air conditioning on recirculate mode, avoid outdoor exercise when air quality is poor and check current conditions at AirNow Fire and Smoke Map or Oregon Smoke website.
Fire officials stress that conditions can change rapidly, so residents should stay alert and make decisions based on their own safety — don’t wait for official word if you feel unsafe.
Make sure you’re signed up for alerts at deschutesalerts.org and ORAlert.gov. Don’t rely on just one source — follow county emergency management and sheriff’s office on social media, and make sure your phone’s wireless emergency alerts are turned on.
This article appears in the Source August 28, 2025.
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