The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Offices Issues New Akawa Butte Fire Evacuation Notices As Changing Conditions Persist Despite Wednesday’s Rain (Photo) - 07/23/26

***UPDATE: July 23, 11:50 a.m.****

The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office confirms that one residence has been lost to the Akawa Butte Fire in the Stevens Canyon area, located Northeast of Sisters. 

Deschutes County, Ore. -- Fire officials and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office have adjusted more evacuation areas due to the Akawa Butte Fire, including new Level 2 (Be Set) and new Level 1 (Be Ready) as of 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 23^rd. Even with the precipitation yesterday, expected hot, dry, and breezy conditions create conditions that warrant expanded evacuation notices.

Please understand that conditions can change rapidly, and stay alert to changing conditions. The Sheriff’s Office recommends people use the Genasys Protect Map for updated evacuation areas: deschutes.org/emergency or protect.genasys.com

THESE ARE THE CURRENT EVACUATION NOTICES AS OF THURSDAY, JULY 23, 11:00AM:

Road Closures Still in Effect:

• Wilt Road eastbound from Camp Polk Road
• Camp Polk northbound from Crooked Horseshoe to Wilt Road
• Indian Ford Road between Camp Polk Road and FS 11

New Level 3 (Go Now) evacuation notices:

• Areas between Indian Ford Creek and Camp Polk Road and Indian Ford Road from the 69600 Block of Camp Polk Road north to North Pine Street.
• Squaw Creek Canyon Estates to include areas off Mt. View Road between Appaloosa Drive and Buffalo Drive
• Henkle Butte area, Vista Ridge Drive, Stardust Lane, and Annie’s Drive
• Area surrounding Camp Polk Cemetery
• Fair Mile Road south of Wilt Road, including Suntree Lane
• Area of Old Wagon Road, West Meadow Parkway, and Tumbleweed Turn
• Meadow View Road area between Indian Ford Road and Indian Ford Creek
• Northern end of Mt. View Road
• Wilt Road north of Buffalo Drive to Big Buck Road
• USFS lands north of Cascade Meadows Ranch to Indian Ford Creek and west of North Pine Street, including the Zimmerman Butte area.
• Freemont Canyon area east of Wilt Road and north of Big Buck Road, to include Rimrock Ranch
• Pine Ridge Road and Fox Ridge Circle off of Indian Ford Road
• Forest land (USFS and private) east of Stevens Canyon Road and south of a line from Stevens Canyon Road and FS 2050/390 spur, east approximately 4 miles to the National Forest Boundary, and South to Wilt Rd. Commonly referred to as the southern portion of Sage Flat. Excluding Fox Ridge Circle and Pine Ridge Road
• Private property on both sides of the northern portion of Indian Ford Road north of Indian Ford Creek to the Forest Boundary.

DOWNGRADING FROM Level 3 (Go Now) to Level 2 (Be Set)

• Cascade Meadow Ranch and Windigo Trail Road

New Level 2 (Be Set) evacuation notices:

• Cascade Meadow Ranch and Windigo Trail Road
• National Forest areas north of Sisters and south of Cascade Meadow Ranch
• Areas North of Sisters, including Trapper Point, Crooked Horseshoe, & Sage Meadow
• West of Camp Polk Rd. And north of the Sisters airport, including Pilot Drive and Kittyhawk Ln. 
• Areas Northeast of Sisters, including Upper and Lower Cattle Dr, Old Juniper Rd & Deer Ridge Rd.
• Old Military Drive
• – Area between Whychus Creek and Panoramic Estates, including the north end of Lake Drive
• North side of Goodrich Road up to Whychus Creek, including Goodrich Lane and Whychus Canyon Preserve
• Lower Holmes Road area, north of milepost 5 to Lower Bridge Road

New Level 1 (Be Ready) evacuation notices:

• West of Highway 20 and East of Black Butte Ranch, Glaze Meadow Area
• National Forest area between the Brooks-Scanlon Logging Road and Highway 20, north of Tollgate Subdivision, south of FS Road 1012.
• Tollgate Subdivision
• West Sisters, including Sisters High School, Sisters Middle School, McKenzie Meadows & area south of Tollgate
• West Sisters, including the commercial area and the Village at Cold Springs, The Pines at Sisters & the East Portal Interpretive Site
• North Sisters, including part of downtown, the industrial park, Sun Ranch, and Clear Pine
• Areas Northeast of Sisters, including the airport & Barclay Meadows
• East Sisters, including areas East of Locust Street and Timber Creek 
• Areas East of Sisters between Whychus Creek and Hwy 126
• Areas Northeast of Sisters, including McKinney Butte & Wild Horse Ridge
• East of Sisters Between Whychus Creek & Camp Polk Rd, North of Hwy 126, including Junipine Ln, Bradley Rd & Hawks Flight Dr 
• Aspen Lakes
• Panoramic Estates, and Emerald Valley Rd/Sisters View Dr
• Both sides of Edmundson Rd between Goodrich Rd and Holmes Rd, Northern Cloverdale area
• Both sides of Holmes Road from milepost 2.5 to milepost 5, including Wanona Road, Gold Coach Road, and McSwain Drive
• Lower Holmes Road area north of milepost 5 to Lower Bridge Rd

EVACUTION NOTICE LEVELS

• Level 3 means GO NOW! Residents in this area should leave immediately. Do not take time to gather belongings or attempt to protect property. Drive carefully, use headlights, and follow traffic safety instructions. Do not return until officials announce it is safe.
• Level 2 BE SET means residents should be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice. Conditions may change quickly, and residents should stay alert and keep essential items ready.
• Level 1 BE READY means residents should remain aware of the fire situation and be prepared if evacuation levels increase.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Akawa Fire information can be found at https://facebook.com/akawabuttefire

• The Red Cross continues to support evacuees with a shelter at Sisters High School: 1700 W. McKinney Butte Rd.
• For Pet OR Large Animal Evacuation:
  • The Pet Evacuation Team is available to support animal-related evacuation needs. They can be reached at 541-610-6628.
• For Large Animal Evacuation
  • Mustangs to the Rescue is available by call or text at 541-350-2406. An alternate number for Mustangs to the Rescue is 541-948-9535 (call or text).

• Community members are encouraged to sign up for Deschutes Alerts to receive timely emergency notifications: https://deschutesalerts.org
• For a live map of evacuation areas, visit deschutes.org/emergency or protect.genasys.com
• For additional fire information and regional updates, visit: https://centraloregonfire.org

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