Deschutes County Sheriff's Office

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News Release

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Announces Another Round Of Downgraded Evacuation Notices For Akawa Butte Fire - 07/28/26

 

Sisters, Ore. -- The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with fire officials, announces another round of evacuation level reductions, as firefighting progress continues on the Akawa Butte Fire. These changes are effective as of Tuesday, July 28, at 11:00 a.m. Numerous areas previously under Level 1 (Be Ready) evacuation notices have now been returned to normal, and two other evacuation zones, previously in Level 3 (Go Now) and Level 2 (Be Set), have also been downgraded.

 

The Sheriff’s Office recommends the following online resources for updated maps of evacuation areas: deschutes.org/emergency or protect.genasys.com

 

These downgrades do NOT indicate the threat of the fire has passed. Many evacuation zones remain in effect, as fire conditions can change rapidly with warm, dry conditions. Residents who choose to return to areas under Level 2 or Level 1 Evacuation notices must remain vigilant for changing conditions and be prepared to leave again.

 

Please drive carefully and respect the roadblocks as they have also moved.  Firefighting personnel and equipment are causing significant traffic in the area as they move around to extinguish hot spots near the fire lines. Power may still be out in some areas. CEC is inspecting all power lines in the area today and will re-energize once it's deemed safe.

 

THESE ARE THE CURRENT EVACUATION NOTICES AS OF TUESDAY, JULY 28, 11:00AM:

 

Road Closures in Effect:

  • Wilt Road North of Buffalo Rd. (gravel portion)
  • Pine Street at Indian Ford Rd
  • Indian Ford Road between FS 700 Road and Meadow View Lane
    • Special note.  Homes on the West end of Indian Ford Rd need to be accessed via Hwy 20 and Forest Service 11 Road.

 

LEVEL 1 (BE READY) DOWNGRADED TO NORMAL

City of Sisters north of Highways 20 and 126

  • Sisters Airport
  • 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
  • East Sisters, including areas East of Locust Street and Timber Creek 

 

Areas around Sisters

  • Tollgate Subdivision
  • 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 

 

Cloverdale Area

  • 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 7 to Lower Bridge Rd

 

LEVEL 2 (BE SET) DOWNGRADED TO LEVEL 1 (BE READY)

  • Lower Holmes Rd area, north of milepost 5 to milepost 7. Includes addresses in the 70500 block to the 70900 block of Holmes Rd.

 

LEVEL 3 (GO NOW) DOWNGRADED TO LEVEL 2 (BE SET) 

  • Northern end of Mountain View Rd 

 

REMAINING LEVEL 3 (GO NOW) EVACUATION NOTICES

  • Wilt Rd on the North side of the road between Fair Mile Rd and Buffalo Rd.
  • Both sides of Wilt Road north of Buffalo Drive to Big Buck Road
  • Freemont Canyon area east of Wilt Road and north of Big Buck Road, to include Rimrock Ranch
  • 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
  • East side of Indian Ford Road, north of Viewpoint Lane, to FS 700.
  • USFS land north of Indian Ford Rd, east of FS 11 to the Jefferson County line.

 

REMAINING LEVEL 2 (BE SET) EVACUATION NOTICES

  • Private Lands on Indian Ford between Hwy 20/Forest Service 11 Road and the Indian Ford Rd and FS 700 Rd intersection.
  • Indian Ford Road MP1 and Camp Polk Rd to include Meadowview Lane, Fox Ridge Circle, and Pine Ridge Subdivisions
  • USFS lands north of Cascade Meadows Ranch to Indian Ford Creek and west of North Pine Street, including the Zimmerman Butte area.
  • Area of Old Wagon Road, West Meadow Parkway, and Tumbleweed Turn
  • Fair Mile Road, South side of Wilt Road, including Suntree Lane
  • Henkle Butte area
  • Whychus Canyon Estates

 

REMAINING 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
  • Cascade Meadow Ranch and Windigo Trail Road
  • Areas North of Sisters, including Trapper Point, Crooked Horseshoe
  • Areas Northeast of Sisters, including Upper and Lower Cattle Dr, Old Juniper Rd & Deer Ridge Rd
  • Area surrounding Camp Polk Cemetery
  • West of Camp Polk Rd and north of the Sisters airport, including Pilot Drive and Kittyhawk Ln
  • Old Military Drive

 

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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The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Announces Another Round Of Downgraded Evacuation Notices For Akawa Butte Fire - 07/28/26

 

Sisters, Ore. -- The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with fire officials, announces another round of evacuation level reductions, as firefighting progress continues on the Akawa Butte Fire. These changes are effective as of Tuesday, July 28, at 11:00 a.m. Numerous areas previously under Level 1 (Be Ready) evacuation notices have now been returned to normal, and two other evacuation zones, previously in Level 3 (Go Now) and Level 2 (Be Set), have also been downgraded.

 

The Sheriff’s Office recommends the following online resources for updated maps of evacuation areas: deschutes.org/emergency or protect.genasys.com

 

These downgrades do NOT indicate the threat of the fire has passed. Many evacuation zones remain in effect, as fire conditions can change rapidly with warm, dry conditions. Residents who choose to return to areas under Level 2 or Level 1 Evacuation notices must remain vigilant for changing conditions and be prepared to leave again.

 

Please drive carefully and respect the roadblocks as they have also moved.  Firefighting personnel and equipment are causing significant traffic in the area as they move around to extinguish hot spots near the fire lines. Power may still be out in some areas. CEC is inspecting all power lines in the area today and will re-energize once it's deemed safe.

 

THESE ARE THE CURRENT EVACUATION NOTICES AS OF TUESDAY, JULY 28, 11:00AM:

 

Road Closures in Effect:

  • Wilt Road North of Buffalo Rd. (gravel portion)
  • Pine Street at Indian Ford Rd
  • Indian Ford Road between FS 700 Road and Meadow View Lane
    • Special note.  Homes on the West end of Indian Ford Rd need to be accessed via Hwy 20 and Forest Service 11 Road.

 

LEVEL 1 (BE READY) DOWNGRADED TO NORMAL

City of Sisters north of Highways 20 and 126

  • Sisters Airport
  • 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
  • East Sisters, including areas East of Locust Street and Timber Creek 

 

Areas around Sisters

  • Tollgate Subdivision
  • 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 

 

Cloverdale Area

  • 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 7 to Lower Bridge Rd

 

LEVEL 2 (BE SET) DOWNGRADED TO LEVEL 1 (BE READY)

  • Lower Holmes Rd area, north of milepost 5 to milepost 7. Includes addresses in the 70500 block to the 70900 block of Holmes Rd.

 

LEVEL 3 (GO NOW) DOWNGRADED TO LEVEL 2 (BE SET) 

  • Northern end of Mountain View Rd 

 

REMAINING LEVEL 3 (GO NOW) EVACUATION NOTICES

  • Wilt Rd on the North side of the road between Fair Mile Rd and Buffalo Rd.
  • Both sides of Wilt Road north of Buffalo Drive to Big Buck Road
  • Freemont Canyon area east of Wilt Road and north of Big Buck Road, to include Rimrock Ranch
  • 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
  • East side of Indian Ford Road, north of Viewpoint Lane, to FS 700.
  • USFS land north of Indian Ford Rd, east of FS 11 to the Jefferson County line.

 

REMAINING LEVEL 2 (BE SET) EVACUATION NOTICES

  • Private Lands on Indian Ford between Hwy 20/Forest Service 11 Road and the Indian Ford Rd and FS 700 Rd intersection.
  • Indian Ford Road MP1 and Camp Polk Rd to include Meadowview Lane, Fox Ridge Circle, and Pine Ridge Subdivisions
  • USFS lands north of Cascade Meadows Ranch to Indian Ford Creek and west of North Pine Street, including the Zimmerman Butte area.
  • Area of Old Wagon Road, West Meadow Parkway, and Tumbleweed Turn
  • Fair Mile Road, South side of Wilt Road, including Suntree Lane
  • Henkle Butte area
  • Whychus Canyon Estates

 

REMAINING 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
  • Cascade Meadow Ranch and Windigo Trail Road
  • Areas North of Sisters, including Trapper Point, Crooked Horseshoe
  • Areas Northeast of Sisters, including Upper and Lower Cattle Dr, Old Juniper Rd & Deer Ridge Rd
  • Area surrounding Camp Polk Cemetery
  • West of Camp Polk Rd and north of the Sisters airport, including Pilot Drive and Kittyhawk Ln
  • Old Military Drive

 

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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