A provided image posted Aug. 24, 2025 on social media shows houses and landscape covered in flame retardant as crews battle the Flat Fire.
Flat Fire Information via Facebook
The Flat Fire has destroyed another home in Central Oregon. It’s the fifth one since the blaze began on Aug. 21.
Gert Zoutendijk is a spokesperson for the Flat Fire. He said the fifth house likely burned during the height of the fire but wasn’t found until Wednesday. Twelve other non-residential structures have been destroyed, which can include businesses, garages, sheds, coops and outhouses.
The fire, located approximately 2 miles northeast of Sisters, Oregon, is stuck at 7% containment and has burned over 23,000 acres.
Besides surveying the homes and structures destroyed by the fire, officials also record the number of homes that have been damaged. As of Thursday morning, the fire has damaged one house and one non-residential structure.
A house is considered damaged once any part of it — such as the siding — has been burned. Houses that have been hit with flame retardant but haven’t actually been burnt aren’t considered damaged.
An update from the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center said the fire threatens more than 2,000 homes and over 900 other structures as of Thursday afternoon.
Fire conditions are expected to worsen today with hot, dry weather and gusty winds coming from the northwest. A National Weather Service incident meteorologist, who’s onsite with fire crews, put the fire area — but not the lands surrounding the fire — on a red flag warning.
Officials said more resources are being sent to the south and southeastern perimeter in response. Ground crews are continuing mop-up operations near homes and the perimeter as the weather threatens to revive old or spark new hotspots.
Flat Fire officials said in a press release that the weather “will challenge the work already in place and test established lines.”
However, some areas have been able to see a reduction in evacuation levels.
Deschutes County dropped all remaining Level 3 (Go Now!) evacuation orders to Level 2 Thursday evening. The Whychus Canyon Estates, Henkle Butte area and upper McKenzie Canyon are still under Level 2 (Be Set) orders.
The area of Southwest Black Butte Road west of Billy Chinook public lands in Jefferson County was also reduced to Level 2.
Investigators still have not identified the cause of the fire.
Resources: Stay safe and informed during wildfire season with OPB’s wildfire guide at opb.org/wildfires. This resource offers essential safety tips and preparedness guidance to help you navigate fire and smoke events. This resource was created as part of our commitment to serving the public as wildfire seasons become longer and more dangerous.
