Wildfires prompt evacuations in Shaniko, Antelope as Hay Creek and Rowe Creek complexes burn more than 300,000 acres
By Griffin Beach on Monday, July 27th, 2026 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
CENTRAL OREGON – The towns of Shaniko and Antelope are under Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation notices, as evacuations and road closures from wildfires continue to affect a large swath of central Oregon.
The Little Buck Fire threatening the two small communities is part of the Hay Creek Complex, which stretches from Wasco County into Sherman and Gilliam counties. This complex includes the Cottonwood, Porcupine Ridge, Hopkin, and Hoag fires.
As of Monday afternoon, the Porcupine Ridge, Hopkin, and Hoag fires were 100% contained.
Strong weekend winds drove significant growth on the Little Buck Fire, the newest and most active blaze in the complex. Winds pushed the fire across Oregon Route 218, forcing a weekend closure before the highway reopened. Officials said once the fire crossed the highway near Clarno, it made a large run south, prompting additional evacuations. On its northern and eastern perimeters, the fire ran into burn scars from the Porcupine Ridge Fire and last year’s Black Rock Fire, slowing its progress there.
Crews worked the west side of the fire, with aerial operations supporting ground crews working to slow its spread towards Antelope and Shaniko.
A community meeting has been rescheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Condon Veterans Memorial Hall. The meeting will be livestreamed on the Hay Creek Complex Facebook page.
At the Cottonwood Fire at Cottonwood State Park, crews are working to keep the blaze from getting established on the west side of the John Day River. Oregon State Parks reopened Cottonwood Canyon State Park, but the Lost Corral Trail and J.S. Burres boat launch sites remain closed.
As of Monday afternoon only Level 1 “Be Ready” evacuations were in place in Sherman and Gilliam counties.
Central Oregon is also dealing with the Rowe Creek Complex across Wheeler, Crook, and Jefferson counties. Those fires have burned over 200,000 acres, with evacuation orders stretching from Fossil to Prineville. As of Monday afternoon, U.S. Highway 26 was closed west of Mitchell.
Photo from Hay Creek Complex Facebook page
