Fourth Task Force Headed To Central Oregon Wildfires

The morning of Thursday July 23 the Lincoln County Fire Defense Board fulfilled a resource request from the Oregon State Fire Marshal's Office by mobilizing Task Force 32 in support of the Akawa Butte Fire, located approximately 9 miles West of Crooked River Ranch, in Deschutes and Jefferson Counties, in Central Oregon.

Task Force #32 is comprised of units from Lincoln & Tillamook Counties with the following resources.

• North Lincoln Fire (Lincoln Co.) (Type 3 Engine) (3 Firefighters)

• Newport Fire (Lincoln Co.) (Type 3 Engine) (3 Firefighters)

• Netarts-Oceanside Fire (Tillamook Co.) (Type 3 Engine) (3 Firefighters)

• Depoe Bay Fire (Lincoln Co.) (Type 6 Engine) (2 Firefighters)

• Central Coast Fire (Lincoln Co.) (Water Tender) (2 Firefighters)

• North Lincoln Fire (Lincoln Co.) (Task Force Leader) (1 Firefighter)

The deployment is being led by Task Force Leader Cody Heidt of North Lincoln Fire Rescue.

Task Force 32 departed Lincoln County Thursday morning at 6:00am and is en route to the staging area in Prineville, Oregon. The team will be assigned to operational duties immediately upon arrival.

The Akawa Butte Fire started July 16, 2026, and is one of many wildfires burning in Oregon. The fire is currently estimated to be over 26,000 acres with structures threatened. Firefighters will continue to encounter challenging conditions with increased temperatures and a potential for thunderstorms in the forecast this week. This deployment may last up to 14 days, depending on fire activity and operational needs.

Task Force 32 represents the fourth deployment of resources requested by the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) from Lincoln County fire agencies. These firefighters and apparatus have joined the statewide response to help protect lives, property, and natural resources as wildfire activity continues to increase across Oregon.

 A complex incident management team (CIMT) from Florida will take over command of the East Evans Creek Fire in the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Southwest Oregon District Monday at 6 a.m. ODF mobilized the CIMT from Florida through a state-to-state mutual aid agreement. The Florida team will replace ODF CIMT 1, which has been managing the incident and making hard-earned progress toward containment for two weeks.

“These agreements create a reciprocal cache of resources that bolster the complete and coordinated fire protection system across North America,” Explained Michael Curran, ODF’s Fire Protection Division Chief. “In times when resources within our state are strained, it’s nice to have the support of our partner states.”

Through these agreements—including Alaska, Hawaii and NW Canadian provinces and territories—states can share resources with one another, creating a larger, more comprehensive fire management system than any one state could have on its own.

This is the first incident management team that ODF has ordered through these agreements this year, but this isn’t Florida’s first time assisting Oregon in wildfire suppression. Over the years, individual resources from Florida have been mobilized to Oregon to help fill specific positions as needed.

As Task Force 7 and Strike Team 7 return from their deployment to the East Evans Creek Road Fire in Jackson County, Task Force 32 is mobilizing to support ongoing wildfire operations. Upon arrival, Task Force 32 will join Task Force 22, which was originally assigned to the Brewer Fire before being reassigned to the Akawa Butte Fire.

As wildfire activity continues across Oregon, the Lincoln County Fire Defense Board recognizes and thanks the firefighters and partner agencies who have answered the call to assist with these ongoing incidents. Their willingness to leave their own communities to protect others is a testament to the dedication, professionalism, and strong mutual aid partnerships that define Oregon's fire service.

While Lincoln County Fire personnel continue supporting suppression efforts throughout the state, the fire defense board encourages everyone in Lincoln County to do their part in preventing additional wildfires. Outdoor debris burning remains prohibited countywide, and everyone should use extra caution with any activity that could create a spark or ignite dry vegetation. Small actions can have significant consequences during periods of extreme fire danger.

The Lincoln County Fire Defense Board asks the community to keep those affected by these fires in their thoughts, including the families who have been displaced, as well as the firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel, dispatchers, and incident management teams who continue working tirelessly under difficult conditions to protect Oregon's communities.