Akawa Butte Fire Threatens Sisters Neighborhoods as Crews Fortify Lines

Overview

• The blaze made a major run overnight and expanded by about 5,429 acres, prompting expanded Level 3 (Go Now) evacuations reported by local officials on Wednesday, July 22.
• Multiple neighborhoods between Indian Ford Creek and Camp Polk Road plus areas north of Mt. View and Stevens Canyon were ordered to evacuate and Sisters High School is operating a Red Cross shelter for displaced residents.
• Incident command has deployed dozers, hand crews, hotshot crews, structural task forces, helicopters and airtankers while building and reinforcing control and contingency lines to protect homes.
• The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office confirmed one residence was destroyed in the Stevens Canyon area and road closures are in effect while Central Electric Cooperative has de‑energized lines to reduce fire risk.
• Fire officials say the fire is 5% contained as resources nearly doubled because the incident is the nation’s top priority and warned that a Red Flag Warning through Saturday with gusty winds could test containment lines and drive renewed runs.