SISTERS, OREGON — The Akawa Butte Fire has been designated as the nation’s top priority wildfire as more than 1,000 firefighters battle the blaze near Sisters, Oregon. The fire has scorched 42 square miles (109 square kilometers) and destroyed two homes since it started by lightning on July 16, 2026.

More than 1,200 personnel, including 33 hand crews, 66 fire engines, and 17 helicopters, are deployed to the fire as of July 24, 2026. The fire is burning near Sisters, a town located about 22 miles (35 kilometers) northwest of Bend.

The fire has scorched 27,000 acres (42 square miles) with 5% containment, according to Oregon State Fire Marshal Incident Commander Ian Yocum. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek stated that the top priority designation allows officials to access resources from other states and countries.

Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act on July 18, 2026, granting authority to mobilize out-of-state and international firefighting resources. "This is all-hands-on-deck here in Oregon," she said.

Kotek stated that the fire has exhibited extreme fire behavior, including 200-foot (61-meter) flame heights and a pyrocumulus cloud that generated its own lightning. The fire generated a pyrocumulus cloud that produced lightning, contributing to rapid fire spread and creating hazardous conditions for crews.

Oregon has burned 570,000 acres of wildfire this year, nearly matching the state's 10-year annual average of 600,000 acres, as reported by the governor on July 24, 2026. The 2026 Oregon wildfire season is primarily affecting central, north and Eastern Oregon.

Sisters Mayor Jennifer Letz stated that the most critical period for Sisters will be the next 24 to 48 hours. About half of the town's population has been told to be ready to evacuate if needed.

"If we can get through this weekend, we will probably be in a good position moving forward. But right now, we do have the north half of the city under orders to be prepared, to have a plan, to get their things together," Letz said. A town meeting was held in Sisters to update residents on the fire.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office issued 23 active evacuation orders (SIS-009-A to SIS-045) across Deschutes and Jefferson counties on July 24, 2026, due to the Akawa Butte Fire. Deschutes County Sheriff Ty Rupert attended a briefing on the fire.

Authorities confirmed that no houses on Wilt Road in Sisters have burned in the Akawa Butte Fire. Approximately 42 new fire starts were reported in Central Oregon following storms.

The National Weather Service issued a red-flag warning in central Oregon through Saturday, July 26, 2026. High temperatures in Central Oregon are forecast to reach the upper 80s to low 90s on Friday, July 24, 2026.

Winds are forecast to reach 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 25 mph in Central Oregon on Friday, July 24, 2026. Over 60% of the Tri-Counties area in Central Oregon is classified under Extreme Drought.

An Air Quality Alert is in effect for Central Oregon. The smoke from the Akawa Fire is being transported toward Redmond and Bend, impacting air quality. The bulk of the smoke in Central Oregon is being generated by the Brewer, Box Springs, and Shingle Fires.