Rogue Valley Firefighters Diverted to Burns Area as Wildfires Spread Across Oregon

MEDFORD, Ore. (Jul. 26, 2026) — A Rogue Valley strike team deployed Sunday to assist with wildfire suppression in Central Oregon was diverted en route to another fast-moving blaze threatening homes near Burns as wildfire activity intensified across the state.

Task Force 40 initially left Southern Oregon to support the Shingle Fire, burning about 14 miles southeast of Mitchell in an area spanning Wheeler, Grant and Crook counties. However, officials announced Sunday afternoon that the team had been reassigned to the Second Flat Fire near the town of Burns, where firefighters will provide structure protection for homes under immediate threat.

Fire officials said the reassignment reflects the rapidly changing conditions created by numerous wildfires burning across Central and Eastern Oregon, noting that additional assignment changes remain possible as fire activity evolves.

Task Force 40 includes a command vehicle, three Type 3 fire engines, a water tender and a brush truck staffed by personnel from Fire District 3, the Medford Fire Department, Evans Valley Fire District No. 6, Grants Pass Fire Rescue and Ashland Fire & Rescue.

Officials said the deployment comes after fire agencies from across Oregon and the West Coast sent resources to Southern Oregon earlier this month to assist with the East Evans Creek Fire.

“Today, it’s our turn to return that support,” fire officials said in a statement.

Despite the deployment, agencies said emergency response coverage in the Rogue Valley will not be impacted, with local departments remaining fully staffed and prepared to respond to emergencies throughout the region.

Fire officials wished the crews a safe assignment and safe return as they join the statewide effort to combat Oregon’s active wildfire season.