Lower Dry Creek Fire: Oregon's Most Urgent Blaze Tops 6,700 Acres with Zero Containment

The Lower Dry Creek Fire in Umatilla County has grown to 6,753 acres and remains 0% contained as of the morning of July 22, 2026, making it the most pressing single wildfire incident in Oregon. The fire has destroyed at least five primary residences and forced more than 1,650 residents under evacuation orders near the city of Milton-Freewater, northeast of Pendleton.

Fire Behavior and Current Status

The fire originated near the lower Dry Creek drainage in the Blue Mountains foothills and has exhibited extreme fire behavior driven by overnight thunderstorms and gusty outflow winds. According to Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) officials, erratic winds have complicated containment efforts and contributed to rapid spread across dry grass and timber fuels.

The Oregon State Fire Marshal's office has confirmed that at least five primary structures have been destroyed. Damage assessment teams have not yet completed a full survey of the fire perimeter, meaning additional losses are possible.

Evacuation Orders

Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation orders are in place for the areas most immediately threatened, while Level 2 "Be Set" orders cover a larger buffer zone around the fire perimeter. Combined, more than 1,650 residents are affected. Evacuees have been directed to the Umatilla County Fairgrounds in Pendleton, where emergency sheltering services are available.

Residents under Level 2 orders are advised to prepare to leave at a moment's notice: have a go-bag ready, know your route, and monitor emergency notifications closely. Conditions on this fire can change rapidly.

Emergency Conflagration Act and FEMA Grant

Governor Tina Kotek invoked Oregon's Emergency Conflagration Act for the Lower Dry Creek Fire — the fifth time she has used the declaration in 2026. The act authorizes the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System to draw firefighting personnel and equipment from jurisdictions statewide to supplement local resources.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) for Oregon to help offset the cost of fighting this fire. The grant — the first issued for Oregon in 2026 — will reimburse up to 75% of the state's eligible firefighting costs, including personnel, equipment, and aircraft.

"When Governor Kotek invokes the Conflagration Act, that essentially allows the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System, or OFMAS, to be engaged, and we can draw resources from elsewhere in the state to assist local partners," OSFM PIO Simone Cordery-Cotter said.

Resources Assigned

Four structural task forces from Clatsop, Marion, Multnomah, and Washington Counties have been deployed to the fire, working both on the ground and in support of aerial operations. Aerial resources are conducting water and retardant drops as conditions allow, though smoke and gusty winds have periodically grounded aircraft.

Community Impact

Local landowners near Weston and Milton-Freewater describe the fire as unlike anything seen in the area in recent memory. Agricultural losses — including wheat fields, fencing, and irrigation infrastructure — are adding to the toll on rural residents already stretched by previous drought conditions.

The next 48 hours are considered critical by fire managers. Hot, erratic afternoon winds are forecast to continue through Wednesday and into Thursday, and a round of dry thunderstorms could produce new ignitions in the area. Firefighters are working to strengthen containment lines ahead of each day's afternoon wind event.