Jackass Butte

Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The Jackass Butte Fire ignited on July 25, 2026, approximately 14.9 miles west of Diamond in Harney County, Oregon.
Size and Containment: As of July 31, 2026, the fire has burned approximately 24,742 acres and is currently 70% contained.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: The fire is primarily fueled by dry, short grass (about 1 foot tall) and brush (about 2 feet tall). Driven by erratic winds, the fire exhibited moderate to rapid fire behavior shortly after ignition, making significant pushes across the dry landscape.
Containment Efforts: The fire is being managed by Southern Area Incident Management Team 2 as part of the broader Burns Basin fires response. Firefighting personnel, the Rangeland Fire Protection Association, county fire departments, and the Oregon State Fire Marshal are working around the clock. Crews are actively engaged in strengthening and expanding containment lines while utilizing aircraft to monitor and protect critical infrastructure.

Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: The Harney County Sheriff's Office has issued Level 3 (Go Now) evacuation orders for areas in the immediate vicinity of the fire incident.
Evacuation Warnings: Level 1 (Be Ready) and Level 2 (Be Set) evacuation warnings are in place for surrounding zones in Harney County.
Curfew: There is currently no information available regarding curfews for this incident.
Evacuation Shelters and Information: Due to the remote nature of the region, the estimated number of people impacted is relatively small, primarily affecting rural ranching families and agricultural workers. Residents can identify their exact evacuation status and zone boundaries using the Harney County Genasys system.

Road and Infrastructure Closures:

• Highway and forest closures are in effect within the Malheur National Forest due to ongoing wildfire activity in the area.
• Pilot cars have been utilized to guide vehicles safely along State Road 205.
• Specific local road closure information is limited; residents are advised to avoid the fire area to allow emergency personnel and heavy equipment to operate safely.

For more information, visit:

• Harney County Sheriff's Office Facebook
• Oregon TripCheck for Road Closures
• Oregon State Fire Marshal Newsroom

Current Impact

Impacts:
Injuries and Fatalities: There are currently no reported fatalities or injuries specifically attributed to the Jackass Butte Fire.
Structures Impacted: The fire is burning in rural ranching areas, threatening local agricultural infrastructure, outbuildings, and grazing lands.
School and Business Closures: There are no major school closures reported due to the summer break. However, business interruptions are affecting local ranches, farms, and small businesses due to infrastructure damage and power loss.
Notable Impacts: The fire has caused damage to electrical infrastructure west of Burns, creating significant hardships for the community and disrupting daily operations for agricultural workers.

Safety Concerns:
Power Outages: Dozens of customers have been left without electricity while utility crews wait for safe conditions to inspect and repair damaged lines. These power outages are leading to the loss of refrigeration for food and medications, and creating challenges for those relying on electrically powered medical equipment.
Water Safety: The power outages have resulted in limited access to well water in rural areas where electric pumps are used.
Burn Bans: The Malheur National Forest has implemented Stage C of Public Use Restrictions (PURs) and Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) III. The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Central Oregon District has also enacted Regulated Use Closures (RUCs).
Air Quality: Smoke from the fire is significantly affecting air quality across the region, impacting communities far beyond the fire perimeters. Residents are advised to limit outdoor exposure.

Ongoing Outlook

Containment Projections: Firefighters have made significant progress over the last 72 hours, reaching 70% containment. Crews continue to work on strengthening containment lines and patrolling the perimeter, though the fire remains an evolving incident dependent on weather conditions and firefighter progress.
Weather and Wind Warnings: Near-critical fire weather conditions are expected to persist through the week. The forecast calls for continued hot and dry weather with temperatures in the 90s, relative humidity in the low teens, and terrain-driven afternoon winds out of the southwest from 10-18 mph, gusting up to 25 mph. No precipitation is expected before a dry cold front moves through the region later in the week.

Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate

Cause: The Jackass Butte Fire was ignited by lightning strikes. A severe storm system moved through northern Harney County, yielding hundreds of positive lightning strikes across the dry landscape.
Weather and Climate: The 2026 Oregon wildfire season has been severe, exacerbated by ongoing drought, low snowpack levels, and an abundance of critically dry fuels. Thousands of lightning strikes combined with clear skies, high heat, and gusty winds created the perfect environment for rapid wildfire ignition and explosive spread across Eastern Oregon.

For more information, visit:

• InciWeb - National Interagency Fire Center
• Harney County Sheriff's Office Facebook Page
• AirNow Fire and Smoke Map