2026 Burns Basin Fires-incident update as of August 17, 2026
By Mindy McKerrall on Monday, August 17th, 2026 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
HARNEY AND MALHEUR COUNTY-Location: Burns Basin
Start Date: 07/23/2026
Size: Coleman Creek: 308,721 acres, 90% contained
Second Flat: 105,501 acres, 90% contained
Bald Mountain: 76,443 acres, 93% contained
Jackass Butte: 24,724 acres, 92% contained
Cause: Natural/Lightning
Personnel:
Coleman Creek Fire: 52
Second Flat Fire: 148
Bald Mountain Fire: 54
Jackass Butte: 49
SUMMARY: As wildfire activity has subsided, operations have shifted towards suppression repair, in addition to regular patrols and mop up. Repair efforts help restore the landscape and minimize potential soil erosion after firefighting impacts. Activities include restoring dozer/hand lines, grating roads, and installing water bars.
COLEMAN CREEK FIRE: Patrol operations continue along primary firelines to look for any hot spots, and suppression repair is ongoing near the Warm Springs Reservoir on the western side of the fire.
SECOND FLAT FIRE: Patrol operations continue along primary firelines, and suppression repair work in the Winslow Canyon area on the eastern side of the fire is nearing completion.
BALD MOUNTAIN FIRE: Patrol operations continue along primary firelines, and suppression repair is ongoing on the western side of the fire.
JACKASS BUTTE FIRE: Patrol operations continue along primary firelines, in addition to water operations in the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, which will be expanded northerly due to an emerging hot spot.
WEATHER: There is a 5–10% chance for isolated thunderstorms on Monday afternoon, with the highest chances over the Bald Mountain and Coleman Creek Fires.
CLOSURES: The “Forest Service Order 06-04-02-26-17: Second Flat Fire Area Reduced” remains in effect. See the Malheur National Forest website for the closure order details and map.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/malheur/alerts
