July 20, 2026

 Dear Black Butte Ranchowners and Guests,

 

I want to provide you with an update regarding the Akawa Butte Fire, which continues to burn in close proximity to our community. We understand the concern many of you have for your homes, families, and the Ranch, and I want to assure you that protecting Black Butte Ranch remains our highest priority.

Over the past 72 hours, the Akawa Butte Fire has experienced significant growth, expanding from approximately 3,200 acres to more than 10,300 acres—an increase of over 7,000 acres. This rapid growth has been driven by hot temperatures, critically low humidity, gusty winds, and challenging terrain. The fire is burning in a combination of grass, brush, and timber fuels. Grass fuels allow the fire to spread quickly across the landscape, while brush and timber produce greater heat and longer-duration burning, making suppression efforts more difficult.

The Black Butte Ranch Fire Department remains actively engaged with our local, state, and federal partners, including the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District, Oregon Department of Forestry, U.S. Forest Service, Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office, and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office.

Black Butte Ranch is NOT currently within any evacuation zones. However, I encourage every Ranchowner to review your family’s evacuation plan, prepare a “go kit” with essential medications, important documents, pet supplies, and personal necessities, and be ready to leave if evacuation notices are issued. Please monitor official information from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and emergency management agencies, and follow all evacuation instructions promptly should they become necessary.

While there is understandable concern, I also want to reassure our community that an extraordinary number of firefighters, aircraft, engines, and heavy equipment are working tirelessly to slow the fire’s progress and protect Sisters County communities.

We ask everyone to remain calm, avoid sharing unverified information, and rely on trusted sources for updates, including Deschutes Alerts, Watch Duty, and official communications from Black Butte Ranch Police, Black Butte Ranch RFPD and the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District.

We remain committed to protecting the lives, homes, and natural beauty of Black Butte Ranch, and we will continue working alongside our partner agencies until this incident is behind us.

Stay safe,

 

Jason Ellison

Fire Chief | Black Butte Ranch RFPD