Governor Invokes Conflagration Act as Flat Fire Spreads in Central Oregon

Deschutes County, Oregon- Gov. Tina Kotek has invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act as the Flat Fire continues to spread in Jefferson and Deschutes counties, marking the seventh conflagration declared in Oregon this wildfire season.

The fire, which started Thursday, has burned an estimated 9,000 acres north of Sisters and near Lake Billy Chinook, according to the Oregon Department of Forestry. Officials said extreme heat, dry fuels and strong winds have made suppression efforts difficult, prompting the state to bring in additional firefighting resources.

“On the positive side, given the lower number of current fires statewide there are a lot of resources available to send to the fire,” said Ron Graham, deputy chief of ODF’s Protection Division.

Kotek’s declaration allows the Oregon State Fire Marshal to mobilize resources through the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System to support local fire service agencies. The State Fire Marshal is deploying its Red Incident Management Team and multiple structural task forces, working in unified command with a Central Oregon Fire Management Services Type 3 team.

Crews remain actively engaged on the Flat Fire. State fire marshal task forces are conducting point protection around homes and critical infrastructure, directly engaging the flames as they approach structures. Shifting conditions have continued to challenge operations, but wildland crews are working closely with air resources to slow the fire’s forward progress and protect threatened communities.

As of Friday, seven OSFM structural task forces were active on the fire, with two more expected to join overnight. Wildland resources are also ramping up, with more than 350 personnel already on scene and additional crews on the way.

Strong northeast winds are driving fire activity, complicating suppression efforts for both ground and air crews. Despite the conditions, officials said firefighters remain committed to protecting lives, homes and communities.

“This is tough for local community members,” Graham said. “Earlier this summer they had to endure the Alder Springs Fires, now this one is adjacent to that burned area impacting many of the same folks.”

The Oregon Department of Forestry has deployed Complex Incident Management Team 3, which will assume command of operations on Saturday. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is overseeing evacuations, with support from Deschutes County. Authorities urged residents to monitor county emergency information pages for the latest updates and be prepared to leave if conditions worsen.