Burns Basin Fire updates as of August 21, 2026
By Mindy McKerrall on Friday, August 21st, 2026 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News Eastern/Southeast Oregon Top Stories
HARNEY AND MALHEUR COUNTY-
Location: Burns Basin
Start Date: 07/23/2026
Size: Coleman Creek: 308,863 acres, 95% contained
Second Flat: 105,854 acres, 95% contained
Bald Mountain: 76,443 acres, 95% contained
Jackass Butte: 24,724 acres, 92% contained
Cause: Natural/Lightning
Personnel: Coleman Creek Fire: 45
Second Flat Fire: 140
Bald Mountain Fire: 35
Jackass Butte: 55
Incident Websites: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61592509707547
https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orbud-bald-mountain
https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orbud-2026-coleman-creek
https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orbud-jackass-butte
https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orbud-second-flat
SUMMARY: Active patrols and infrared (IR) flights continue to detect heat pockets across some fire areas. The current and forecasted weather conditions are favorable to smoldering fire activity, including in dried-up wetlands within the Jackass Butte Fire where sprinkler and flooding operations have been ramping up. Work remains flexible to enable crews to respond to any hot spots and start new suppression repair projects as others finish up. Crews build necessary firelines and access routes during wildfire suppression, but it leaves the ground disturbed. Without repair, soil can erode and clog streams, and invasive plants may easily spread.
COLEMAN CREEK FIRE: Conduct patrol and mop-up operations as needed, and repair dozer lines towards the center of the fire near Juntura-Riverside Rd. and riparian areas on the western side using hand crews.
SECOND FLAT FIRE: Conduct patrol and mop-up operations as needed, and repair wildfire suppression damages on the northeast
BALD MOUNTAIN FIRE: Conduct patrol and mop-up operations as needed, and repair fire suppression damage on the eastern side and northern end of the fire, utilizing heavy equipment and hand crews.
JACKASS BUTTE FIRE: Conduct patrol and mop-up operations as needed, and expand water operations in marshes to limit heat within the thick layers of organic material underground that could possibly re-ignite.
WEATHER: Warm, dry and breezy conditions through Friday morning with increasing chances for showers and thunderstorms on Friday evening.
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
