Oregon fire looms near town as 4th firefighter dies weeks after Colorado blaze

A fourth firefighter, Nathan Matthews of Lincoln, Nebraska, died from injuries sustained in a June 27 wildfire near the Colorado-Utah border, the Interior Department announced on July 25, 2026.

The wildfire near Sisters, Oregon, had burned about 40 square miles and was 5% contained as of July 26, with winds gusting up to 30 mph threatening the city of about 3,000 people.

Sisters Mayor Jennifer Letz stated the city was not in immediate danger, with about 30 evacuees at a local high school shelter and others in RVs.

Three other Helitack crew members died on June 27 in Mesa County, Colorado: Emily Barker (38), Nick Hutcherson (27), and Sydney Watson (26).

Dry weather, record low snow, hot spells, and erratic winds have fueled wildfires across Oregon, Washington, California, Colorado, and Canada this summer.