A new wildfire that ignited on the Fourth of July near the small community of Antelope in north-central Oregon has grown to more than 1,200 acres, prompting evacuation warnings for the town. The Antelope Creek Fire is burning in grass and brush approximately one mile north of Antelope in Wasco County, on lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management's Prineville District.
Fire Details
The Antelope Creek Fire started July 4, 2026, and as of the National Interagency Fire Center's July 5 morning report, had grown to 1,261 acres with 10 percent containment. BLM's Prineville District is managing the incident. The fire is burning in dry grass and brush typical of the high desert terrain of north-central Oregon, which can support fast-moving fire runs under warm, dry, and windy conditions.
Central Oregon Fire Information, which coordinates official public communications for fires in the region, posted a wildfire fact sheet for the Antelope Creek Fire on July 4 and has been providing updates for the local community.
Evacuation Warning for Antelope
Antelope, a community in Wasco County with a population of only around 45 residents, was placed under a Level 2 "Be Set" evacuation warning as the fire pushed toward the town. Level 2 means residents should be prepared to leave at a moment's notice, with go-bags packed and vehicles fueled and ready.
Residents should monitor Wasco County Emergency Management and Central Oregon Fire Information (centraloregonfire.org) for updates. Any escalation to Level 3 "Go Now" would require immediate evacuation.
Context: Holiday Weekend Fire Risk
The Antelope Creek Fire was one of several fires that ignited across the Pacific Northwest during the Fourth of July holiday weekend, a period of historically elevated fire risk due to fireworks, increased outdoor activity, and dry summer conditions. Central Oregon Fire Information had issued a reminder in the days before the holiday that fireworks are prohibited on public lands.
The Antelope area sits in a transition zone between the Cascade foothills and the Columbia Plateau, with vegetation that cures quickly in hot, dry conditions. The NIFC's July 2026 seasonal outlook noted that faster-than-expected curing has raised fire risk across central Oregon to above-normal levels.
Air Quality and Safety
Smoke from the Antelope Creek Fire may be affecting air quality in surrounding communities including Antelope, Fossil, and portions of Wasco and Wheeler counties. Residents should check fire.airnow.gov for current air quality readings. Call 9-1-1 to report any new fire activity. Do not attempt to defend structures against an approaching wildfire — evacuate early and let trained firefighters do their work.