Central Oregon Lightning Sparks Dozens of Fires | Bend News

Bend News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 18, 2026 · 1m

Central Oregon’s skies turned explosive on July 15, 2026, with over 2,000 lightning strikes igniting more than 50 fires—many still burning as winds whip through steep, remote terrain. Four major fires—Red Rock, Camel Hump, Twickenham, and Crosswhite—are now under unified command, with two new incidents added. Elsewhere, the Cove Creek Fire swells to 3,000 acres near John Day Fossil Beds, Hopkin Fire hits 5,000 acres northwest of Condon, and Porcupine Ridge climbs to 4,000. Smaller but active blazes include Pilot (80–100 acres), Akawa (3,200), Brewer (3,000), Wilcox (2,500), Coyote (300–400)…