Firefighters are working day and night to strengthen containment lines on the Second Flat Fire as it continues to burn through Harney County. The lightning-caused fire is now estimated at 86,504 acres with 5 percent containment.
Progress is being made on the eastern and southern portions of the fire to protect the nearby communities of Hines and Burns. The Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) has assigned five structural task forces to the incident following the invocation of the Emergency Conflagration Act on July 26. These teams are working alongside the Oregon Department of Forestry, local fire departments, and Rangeland Fire Protection Associations.
Current Operations and Strategy: Firefighting personnel are prioritizing the protection of homes, private property, and critical resources, including cattle allotments. Aircraft are supporting ground crews with water and retardant drops to cool active sections of the fire.
Beginning July 29, the management of the Second Flat Fire will transition to California Team 4, led by Incident Commander Jacobson. Until then, 205 personnel remain dedicated to the incident.
Weather and Hazards: Conditions remain challenging for suppression efforts today. Temperatures are expected to reach the upper 80s with low humidity between 13 and 18 percent. Winds are coming out of the southwest at 10 to 18 mph, with potential gusts reaching 25 mph.
Evacuations and Closures: The Harney County Sheriff’s Office has maintained Level 1, 2, and 3 evacuation notices for areas near the fire. Residents can find the latest evacuation maps and updates through the following resources:
- Harney County Sheriff’s Office Facebook
- Genasys Emergency Website
- Harney County Emergency Management
Public Information For daily updates, the public can visit the 2026 Burns Basin Fires Facebook page. Smoke levels can be monitored via the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map.
For the latest road conditions, travelers should visit www.tripcheck.com.