Oregon State Fire Marshall

Crook County commissioners unanimously declared a local state of emergency Wednesday afternoon as multiple wildfires continued to grow across the region, with fire officials reporting Thursday morning that protecting homes and communities around Prineville remains their top priority following a day of extreme fire behavior.

Residents in the Ochoco West subdivision are now under a Level 1 "Be Ready" evacuation notice as the Brewer Fire continues to burn northwest of Prineville, prompting expanding evacuation zones and an increasing response from state and local firefighting agencies.

The Alfalfa Fire District was not among the agencies selected for Oregon’s 2026 wildfire season staffing grants, with state officials confirming the decision was tied to ongoing inquiries by multiple state agencies into the district.

The brush fire that erupted Saturday afternoon near SE Highland Road is now believed to be human-caused, according to Crook County Fire and Rescue officials. A joint investigation is underway to determine exactly how the blaze started.