The Coleman Creek Fire in southeastern Oregon has become one of the most rapidly expanding blazes in the state, growing to an estimated 146,293 acres with zero percent containment as of July 30, 2026. The fire is burning in grass, brush, and juniper on federal land in both Harney and Malheur counties, approximately eight miles southwest of the Warm Springs Reservoir, near the small community of Riverside.

Ignition and Rapid Growth

The Coleman Creek Fire ignited at approximately 5:40 a.m. on July 25, 2026, the result of significant lightning storms that swept across southeastern Oregon that week. The fire expanded rapidly through bone-dry grass and juniper fuels, driven by hot temperatures and low relative humidity. By July 26, the fire was actively running north and east toward Highway 20 East, Riverside, and the town of Juntura, prompting emergency evacuation orders.

Juntura Evacuation

Harney County officials issued a Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation order for the community of Juntura as the fire threatened to cut off road access. Additional Level 1 evacuation zones are in place for surrounding areas. The Genasys emergency management system is being used to track and publish evacuation zone boundaries, and residents are encouraged to check current zone status online.

Highway 20, a critical east-west transportation corridor through Harney County, has experienced closures and traffic control measures due to smoke and fire proximity. Travelers are urged to check ODOT TripCheck before traveling through the region.

Firefighting Challenges

The Coleman Creek Fire is burning in some of Oregon's most remote and rugged terrain, where road access for ground crews is severely limited. Aircraft — including heavy air tankers and single-engine air tankers (SEATs) — have been a critical component of the suppression effort. However, resource scarcity due to the extraordinary number of simultaneous fires across the region has constrained the aerial resources available at any given time.

The Burns District Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which is managing the fire, has deployed dozers, engines, and hand crews to construct direct and indirect containment lines. Progress has been limited by zero percent containment, indicating the fire's behavior has remained highly active.

Context: Eastern Oregon Under Siege

The Coleman Creek Fire is one of several massive blazes burning across eastern Oregon's high desert. The Big Grass Fire near Jordan Valley stands at 288,120 acres with just 5 percent containment, and the Bald Mountain Fire southeast of Burns has reached 76,099 acres at just 1 percent containment. Together, these fires represent a profound challenge to local communities, ranchers, and the agencies responsible for protecting life and property across the state's vast eastern landscape.

For the most current information on the Coleman Creek Fire, visit InciWeb at inciweb.wildfire.gov or call the Burns District BLM at 541-970-7130.