A Summer Like No Other: Jefferson County Farmers Face Drought, Fire, and a Difficult Harvest

The Mad City FC U13/U14 boys team went undefeated and gave up zero goals at Oregon's largest sanctioned youth soccer tournament, bringing home a championship from the Mt. Hood Challenge despite training outside Madras all summer due to wildfire smoke.

The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs lifted a wildfire-related boil water notice and water conservation order this week, while the community's wildfire recovery fund has raised 130% of its original goal — a sign of healing even as long-term rebuilding lies ahead.

The massive Rowe Creek Complex fire reached 373,777 acres and 79% containment as of August 13, with firefighters celebrating the reopening of US Highway 26 even as a Red Flag Warning and the threat of dry lightning put all progress at risk.

A packed weekend of community events is coming to Warm Springs and Madras, including the Wyam Youth Center’s first-ever Indigenous Youth Fashion Show on Friday, a free pet wellness clinic Saturday, a youth art camp next week, and a Nature Kids outing at Sahalee Park.

Crooked River Ranch Fire & Rescue is inviting the community to a pay-what-you-can Firefighter Breakfast Fundraiser on Sunday, September 6, from 7:30 to 11 a.m. at Station 501 on SW Shad Road. All proceeds benefit the volunteer firefighters association.