Flat Fire Burns 23,000 Acres in Central Oregon; Official Investigations Debunk Homeless Encampment Origin Claims

SISTERS, Oregon – The Flat Fire, a significant wildfire burning northeast of Sisters, Oregon, has consumed approximately 23,000 acres and destroyed five homes and multiple other structures. While social media speculation, including a tweet from Kevin Dahlgren, suggested the fire originated from a homeless encampment, official investigations by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office and the Oregon Department of Forestry have found no indication to support this claim.

Jefferson County Sheriff Jason Pollock stated that the fire, which started on August 21, originated on private property and is currently under investigation. Deschutes County Commissioner Phil Chang further emphasized that the Flat Fire did not begin in a homeless encampment, attributing such rumors to an unfair blame placed on homeless populations for local wildfires. The investigation into the exact cause of the Flat Fire is ongoing and may take an extended period to conclude.

The incident highlights ongoing concerns in Central Oregon regarding wildfire risks and the presence of homeless encampments in forested areas. In a separate, but related, development earlier this year, the U.S. Forest Service initiated the Cabin Butte Project, closing approximately 34,600 acres of the Deschutes National Forest to homeless camping. This action, which displaced hundreds of individuals, was undertaken as a wildfire prevention measure, citing 95 human-caused fires in the China Hat area between 2020 and 2024.

Forest Service officials explained that the Cabin Butte closure was necessary for forest restoration, fuels reduction, and improving wildlife habitat, emphasizing that the area was unsafe for public presence during heavy machinery operations and prescribed burns. Homeless advocates, however, criticized the lack of support and alternative housing options provided to those displaced by the eviction.

The Darlene 3 Fire in June 2024, which threatened La Pine, was confirmed to have ignited at a homeless encampment, underscoring the complex challenges of managing wildfire risk in areas where unhoused individuals seek shelter. The Flat Fire's impact has led to various evacuation levels, with emergency services working to contain the blaze and protect communities.