Central Oregon crews juggle multiple July 4th fires
Tracee Tuesday
Bend/Redmond, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon fire crews spent the Fourth of July weekend racing from one call to the next, as hot weather and holiday activity helped spark multiple fires from Crooked River Ranch to Bend. The incidents ranged from fast-moving wildfires threatening powerlines and homes to a structure fire in a Redmond neighborhood, underscoring what local officials call an already active wildfire season.
Peninsula Fire – Terrebonne
In Jefferson County, the Peninsula Fire broke out in the 14800 block of Southwest Peninsula Drive in Terrebonne. The fire was reported at about half an acre with forward progress stopped, and later mapped at 1.2 acres. Officials said a wet line was placed around the fire and the blaze is now 100% contained and being deactivated from public incident maps unless conditions change.
Crooked River Ranch Fire & Rescue credited the property owner’s work to create defensible space for keeping the fire from spreading. The homeowner recently brought in a herd of goats to reduce grass and shrubs across much of the property, slowing the flames and allowing crews to keep the fire on-site.
Sean Hartley, Fire Chief for Crooked River Ranch Fire & Rescue, said the goat-grazing partnership is proving to be a unique but effective local tool in wildfire prevention.
“It’s amazing to go to see them work,” Hartley said. “In a few days, they will take a place that’s got knee-high grass down to basically nothing. And it really, it’s a neat way to make defensible space work. And it’s a safe way to do all summer long because people are now with lawn mowers and stuff where they can have a rock strike. So it’s a neat thing to see. And it’s a very unique way to do defensible space.”
Antelope Creek Fire – north of Antelope
North of the city of Antelope, the Antelope Creek Fire started July 4 at 12:39 p.m. on private land and quickly spread through grass, brush and sage. The fire burned 1,261 acres, and at one point 10 primary structures were identified as at risk.
The Antelope Creek Fire is now 100% contained. All evacuations have been lifted as interagency crews continue mop-up around the perimeter, keeping a close eye on remaining hot spots.
Hole in the Ground Fire – Deschutes National Forest
Farther south, the Hole in the Ground Fire ignited July 4 around 4:28 p.m., about one mile west of the Hole in the Ground Vista Point in the Deschutes National Forest. The fire burned 83 acres in mixed timber and sage and was listed at 50% containment.
Officials said there was no new growth overnight, but smoke will remain visible as heavy fuels continue to burn inside the perimeter. Fire managers are asking the public to avoid using Forest Service Road 3100-200 to access the Hole in the Ground recreation area, to keep the area safe for firefighters and visitors.
Coyner Fire – near Redmond
Closer to Redmond, the Coyner Fire started July 4 northwest of Tetherow Road on Bureau of Land Management land. The wildfire burned about 20.5 acres in juniper, grass, brush and sage and was listed at 10% containment. Level 1 “Be Ready” evacuation notices remain in place in Deschutes County, with powerlines and nearby residential structures considered at risk.
Crews worked through the night of July 5 to secure the perimeter and put out flare-ups in unburned fuels, and were expected to continue mop-up through the day while monitoring hot spots as temperatures rise.
Officials said wildland firefighters from the newly established U.S. Wildland Fire Service are working with interagency partners to protect BLM lands, underscoring a unified approach to suppressing wildfires in Central Oregon.
Redmond structure fire – illegal fireworks
Redmond firefighters also responded to a structure fire near Northwest 4th Street and Northwest Hemlock Court, blamed on illegal fireworks. When crews arrived, they found a single-story manufactured home with heavy flames coming from the front of the structure and threatening nearby homes. Firefighters quickly deployed hoselines and kept the fire contained to the one residence, preventing further spread.
Weather, safety and the local message
With several fires now contained but fuels still drying out across the high desert, fire officials say weather and terrain remain challenging and that more fire starts are possible as summer continues.
“With fires in particular, the last couple of days, we’ve had some pretty hot weather. I think we’ve all felt that, and that can always really highlight those flare ups,” said Emilie Bedard, Public Information Officer for the Central Oregon Fire Management Service. “It continues to burn heavy fuels that are within fire perimeters. So our fire managers and our fire personnel are really watching those areas to make sure that they’re staying safe and keeping that fire within those containment lines.”
She added that the public plays a key role in reducing risk and helping crews stay safe while they work.
“We ask members of the public whether you’re traveling, whether you’re local to the area, please respect those closures,” Bedard said. “Keep those working areas safe for our firefighters and also for your own public safety. Slow down when you’re in those areas. That’s really going to allow those fire response agencies to get in and do the work that they need to do to keep our community safe.”
Local fire agencies are urging residents to continue clearing defensible space around homes, obey closure signs and avoid illegal fireworks as Central Oregon moves deeper into wildfire season.
Reported: July 6, 2026; 11:14 am
A busy Fourth of July weekend for fire crews across Central Oregon left several communities on alert as multiple brush fires broke out in quick succession.
Firefighters responded to a number of incidents, including the Peninsula Fire near Terrebonne, the Pilot Butte Fire in Bend, the Hole in the Ground Fire burning in the Deschutes National Forest, and both the Fairgrounds and Coyner fires in Redmond. Crews worked through the holiday weekend to contain the flames and prevent further spread in dry, windy conditions.
While all of the fires have since been contained, the incidents serve as a reminder of how quickly conditions can change during peak fire season.
Officials are continuing to investigate how some of the fires may have started, including whether fireworks or other human activity played a role.
KTVZ’s Tracee Tuesday will have a full report tonight at 6 p.m. on NBC, including a closer look at when and where each fire sparked, how many acres burned, and what firefighters are urging residents to do now to reduce wildfire risk.
