After three weeks of active firefighting across Jefferson County and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Reservation, both the Bench Fire and the Round Butte Fire are closing in on full containment — though forecasters are warning that dangerous fire weather this weekend could still spark new ignitions.

Where the Fires Stand

The lightning-caused Bench Fire, which has burned more than 67,000 acres, reached 84% containment as of Thursday, August 7. Some 572 firefighters remain on scene, conducting mop-up operations and removing excess fuels from the fire perimeter.

The Round Butte Fire, a smaller 1,163-acre blaze that ignited August 1 under undetermined circumstances, is 90% contained with 11 personnel working toward full suppression.

All evacuation notices that had been in place for Warm Springs community members were lifted as of Thursday morning. Some areas of Jefferson County near both fires remain at Level 1 (Be Ready) or Level 2 (Be Set) evacuation status. Residents should monitor the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office and Jefferson County Emergency Management for any changes.

Weekend Red Flag Concern

Fire managers are not standing down yet. Forecasters are projecting near-record high temperatures around 94 degrees Fahrenheit on Friday, with relative humidity expected to drop to as low as 12% — conditions that can allow a single spark to spread rapidly through the parched vegetation blanketing Jefferson County.

Red flag warnings could be issued for portions of Central Oregon through the weekend. Residents are reminded that burn barrels are prohibited through the remainder of the 2026 fire season under an order issued by Jefferson County Fire and EMS on August 4. Stage 2 fire restrictions remain in effect on all Central Oregon public lands, banning all campfires regardless of ring or grate.

Air Quality Update

The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs reported that air quality around the reservation is currently rated moderate. People with respiratory conditions, the elderly, and children are advised to limit prolonged outdoor exertion during smoky periods. Current readings are available at airnow.gov.

Staying Informed

  • Evacuation map: Jefferson County Emergency Management — jeffersoncountyor.gov
  • Fire information: InciWeb — search Bench Fire or Round Butte Fire
  • Air quality updates: airnow.gov
  • Emergency alerts: Sign up through Jefferson County OEM

Incident management teams are expected to continue mop-up work through early next week, barring significant new fire weather events. The goal for both fire teams is reaching 100% containment while remaining ready to respond to any new ignitions that may arise over the weekend.