Firefighters work on containment lines as Burnt Creek Fire burns over 3,000 acres
By Griffin Beach on Monday, July 27th, 2026 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
ENTERPRISE – Firefighters have been working to fill containment gaps to keep the Burnt Creek Fire within its current footprint, which was measured at 3,077 acres as of the latest report.
Crews are building lines along Swamp Creek, trying to tie the line into the top of Starvation Ridge. On the south end of the fire, a secondary bulldozer line was constructed across the Davis Creek drainage near Panda Dip and north along Starvation Ridge to box in the fire should it cross the primary bulldozer line at Chico Trail.
Night operations began Sunday, focusing on protecting Oregon Highway 3 and monitoring a spot fire near Chico Trail. Another spot fire was detected across the Davis Creek drainage.
Firefighters are working to establish two heliwells — high-capacity portable water tanks — south of the fire perimeter to reduce helicopter turnaround time and limit flight hours during smoky conditions.
Level 1 (“Be Ready”) evacuation orders remain in place for residences along Joseph Creek Road.
Photo from Wallowa-Whitman National Forest.
