July 31, 2026
Wildfire Update | July 30, 2026 | 2 min read
A fast-growing wildfire in eastern Oregon is one of several fires blanketing the region in smoke this week. Here's what's burning, how big it's gotten, and how to protect your indoor air while it spreads.
The Coleman Creek Fire ignited on July 25 after a lightning storm swept through Harney County, Oregon. It's burning through grass, brush, and juniper roughly eight miles southwest of Warm Springs Reservoir, and has since spread across the Malheur River toward the small community of Juntura.
As of July 30, 2026, the Coleman Creek Fire has burned more than 204,000 acres and remains at 0% containment. It's part of a larger cluster of fires across Harney and Malheur counties that have together burned over 391,000 acres, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
Crews describe extreme fire behavior, including wind-driven runs and long-range spotting, as the fire moves through dry grass and brush. An ongoing regional heat wave, low humidity, and critically dry vegetation are all fueling the rapid growth.
Smoke from this fire and others burning across Oregon and Idaho has pushed air quality advisories into the Boise metro area, home to more than 700,000 people. Wildfire smoke can travel hundreds of miles from its source, meaning homes far outside the fire zone can still see smoke-driven drops in indoor air quality.
Prep your home before smoke arrives
Closed doors and windows help, but smoke particles still work their way inside. A few steps to take now:
Sources: InciWeb, National Interagency Fire Center, NPR.
