SECOND FLAT

As of Tuesday morning, Aug. 4, 2026, Firefighters focused Monday on locating and extinguishing remaining hotspots with infrared imagery while hand crews walked the fire’s edge to verify containment in rugged terrain. A primary objective remains keeping the fire south of Red Hill while protecting nearby communities and critical infrastructure.

Along Lone Pine Road, firefighters continued patrol and mop-up while monitoring containment lines. In the Willow Flat and Skull Creek areas, crews used infrared imagery to locate and extinguish remaining hotspots near the fire’s edge. Firefighters continue validating heat identified through infrared mapping as part of ongoing seek-and-destroy missions. On the northwest side of the fire near Green Butte, firefighters continued mopping up a newly completed dozer line while monitoring interior pockets of unburned vegetation. Although these areas continue producing visible smoke, fire managers report the activity remains well within the fire perimeter.

Additional hand crews continued working on the northwestern edge of the fire, walking the fire’s edge and cold trailing through steep, rugged terrain to verify containment in areas where heavy equipment cannot operate. Fire activity remained low Monday, with no active fire growth detected. Today, crews will continue patrol, mop-up, locating and extinguishing hotspots, and verifying containment while remaining prepared to respond to any changes in fire behavior.

Weather

Areas of smoke are expected today under sunny skies, with a high near 90°F. Warm, dry conditions will continue through the week as temperatures gradually increase while afternoon relative humidity remains in the single digits. Light winds will become west around 6 mph this afternoon before shifting northwest at 5 to 8 mph overnight. Patchy smoke and overnight lows around 48°F are expected tonight. Although winds remain relatively light, hot and dry conditions will continue to support interior fire activity.

Evacuations 

Evacuation order and warnings remain in effect. For an interactive map of evacuations, visit: Genasys Protect.

Information

Location: Burns Basin

Size: 105,462 acres, 55% contained

Cause: Undetermined

Personnel: 491

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COLEMAN CREEK

The Coleman Creek Fire experienced minimal growth outside of its footprint overnight, however acreage will continue to increase as interior pockets burn together. The priority remains keeping the fire south of Highway 20 and within its current footprint. Moderate winds and cooler temperatures led to decreased fire activity, allowing firefighters to take advantage of favorable conditions to strengthen containment using direct tactics.

Today, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, crews will continue extensive mop-up operations, with several miles of containment line requiring inspection. In the Yapaa Creek area, firefighters are working through unburned pockets and conducting mop-up to secure the area. Smokejumpers and rappel crews are reinforcing the east side of the fire west of Lake Owyhee.

Aviation resources, including aircraft and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), are supporting firefighters by improving containment lines in areas with difficult terrain. Infrared (IR) flights are also being used to locate residual heat within containment lines, enabling crews to focus suppression efforts where they are most needed.

Highway 20 is currently open from Burns to Vale. Conditions are subject to change, check the Oregon Department of Transportation website Road & Weather Conditions Map | TripCheck – Oregon Traveler Information for current conditions.

Weather 

Near Critical Fire Weather Conditions persist through the week. Daytime temperatures will cool into the low 80s to mid-90s. Minimum RH values will also decrease sharply towards the single digits. West/Northwest winds for the western flank of the fire and north/northeast for the eastern flank. Terrain influence will play a heavy role in winds as well throughout the forecast period.

Evacuations 

An upgraded evacuation order was issued in Malheur County yesterday on the eastern side of the fire. There are existing evacuations and warnings that also remain in effect. For an interactive map of evacuations, visit: Genasys Protect.

Information

Location: Burns Basin

Size: 274,645 acres, 23% contained

Cause: Natural/Lightning

Personnel: 377