Cove Creek Fire Grows as Evacuations Continue; Clarno Unit of John Day Fossil Beds Closes - July 17, 1:45 p.m.
Image courtesy Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office.
The Dalles, Ore., July 17, 2026 — Firefighters continue battling the rapidly growing Cove Creek Fire in Wheeler County, about 90 miles southeast of The Dalles, as evacuation orders remain in effect Friday and officials warn residents that conditions can change quickly.
The fire, burning about one mile east of the Clarno Unit of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, has grown to approximately 2,000 acres since it was sparked following a widespread lightning event that swept across Central Oregon on July 15.
The fire is among more than 75 wildfires ignited by more than 2,000 lightning strikes across the region, according to Central Oregon Fire Information.
Evacuation map courtesy Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office.
The Wheeler County Sheriff's Office said Friday morning that firefighters are responding to multiple active wildfires across the county, with evacuation levels in effect for portions of the Cove Creek and Crosswhite fire areas. Officials urged residents to monitor changing conditions, remain prepared to leave if evacuation levels increase and avoid traveling into fire-affected areas unless absolutely necessary.
"Our firefighters and emergency response personnel are working tirelessly across multiple incidents, and resources are spread thin," the sheriff's office said in a social media update.
Officials said the most current evacuation information is available through Wheeler County's interactive evacuation map and the Genasys Protect evacuation system.
Clarno Palisades and the entire Clarno unit is currently closed due to fire. Photo courtesy Wikipedia Commons.
The Cove Creek Fire has also forced the temporary closure of the Clarno Unit of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. National Park Service officials said portions of the monument are under Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation orders, and a section of Highway 218 between Clarno and Fossil remains closed because of the fire.
The monument advised visitors to avoid the Clarno area until further notice. While the Clarno Unit is closed, the Painted Hills and Sheep Rock units, along with the Thomas Condon Paleontology and Visitor Center, remain open under normal operating hours.
Smoke from the fire is also affecting the entire national monument. Park officials said air quality is poor at all three units and encouraged visitors to check current conditions before traveling.
Firefighters continue full suppression efforts using engines, hand crews, bulldozers and aircraft as they work to establish containment lines around the blaze. No containment percentage had been reported Friday afternoon.
Weather conditions remain challenging for firefighters. The National Weather Service forecast for the Fossil and Clarno area calls for afternoon temperatures climbing into the mid- to upper 90s, relative humidity dropping into the teens, and afternoon winds increasing to 10 to 20 mph with higher gusts, creating conditions favorable for rapid fire growth and long-range spotting.
Authorities continue to ask residents to follow evacuation orders promptly, remain alert for changing fire conditions and stay clear of firefighting operations.
