Firefighters use infrared technology to find hot spots on Akawa Butte Fire

Firefighters are using handheld infrared equipment today to find and extinguish hidden heat sources on the northern edge of the Akawa Butte Fire. The lightning-caused blaze is now estimated at 27,433 acres and is 6 percent contained.

Crews worked through the night to locate and mark hot spots as part of ongoing mop-up operations. Structural protection teams have established 200-foot buffers around homes and residences near the fire area to improve defensibility. Work on secondary contingency lines, designed to stop the fire if it jumps primary containment lines, is nearly finished.

The Oregon State Fire Marshal is currently reassigning some resources to help with other active wildfires in the region, including the nearby Bench Fire. However, structural crews will remain in the Akawa Butte area to monitor residential zones and support wildland firefighters.

An in-person community meeting is scheduled for tonight, Tuesday, July 28, at 6:30 p.m. at the Sisters High School Auditorium. The meeting will be live-streamed on the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District Facebook page and later posted to the Akawa Butte Fire YouTube channel.

Elevated fire weather is expected to last through the week, bringing hot, dry, and breezy conditions. Officials are urging drivers to use caution due to the high volume of heavy fire equipment and increased activity on local roads.

Level 1, 2, and 3 evacuation notices remain in effect. Residents can monitor their status through an interactive evacuation map. For those needing assistance, evacuation centers are open at Sisters High School for people and the Deschutes County Fairgrounds for large animals.

Area closures remain in place for the Bureau of Land Management, the Deschutes National Forest, and the Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland.

Daily updates are available on the official Facebook page and current air quality info is updated regularly online.