Section
Public Safety
Public Safety
Round Butte Fire Reaches 1,091 Acres Near Madras; Crews Making Progress as Heat Returns
The Round Butte Fire west of Madras has grown to 1,091 acres with 12% containment as of Tuesday. Crews secured the perimeter overnight and are now mopping up, but near-record heat forecast for Wednesday threatens to complicate firefighting efforts.
Public Safety
Round Butte Fire Now 7% Contained; Command Transfers to Southwest Team as Evacuations Remain
The Round Butte Fire west of Madras held at 1,039 acres through the weekend as crews secured control lines. Command transferred Monday morning to a regional incident management team now also overseeing the Bench Fire, with Level 1–3 evacuations still active across parts of Jefferson County.
Public Safety
Round Butte Fire Grows to 1,039 Acres West of Madras; Some Evacuation Zones Reduced
A fast-moving wildfire that ignited Friday afternoon on the south slope of Round Butte has burned 1,039 acres as of Sunday morning and remains at zero percent containment, though firefighters made enough overnight progress for Jefferson County to begin lifting some evacuation levels.
Public Safety
Round Butte Fire Explodes to 1,200 Acres West of Madras; Evacuation Orders in Effect
A fast-moving vegetation fire ignited Saturday afternoon on the south side of Round Butte, roughly five miles west of Madras, and grew rapidly to an estimated 1,200 acres by Saturday evening. Level 3 evacuation orders were issued for the immediate area as firefighters from Jefferson County and multiple state and federal agencies worked through the night to contain the blaze.
Public Safety
Red Flag Warning Today as Bench Fire Crews Race to Hold Containment Lines
A Red Flag Warning is in effect Saturday for Jefferson County and most of Central Oregon, threatening to push the already-massive Bench Fire beyond its 32% containment lines. Firefighters are bracing for winds up to 30 mph and humidity as low as 5 percent.
Public Safety
Bench Fire Tops 64,000 Acres; Red Flag Conditions Expected This Weekend
The Bench Fire burning southwest of Warm Springs reached 64,407 acres Thursday at 22% containment. Firefighters are racing to establish containment lines near Metolius Road before anticipated Red Flag conditions arrive this weekend, while Camp Sherman faces expanded evacuations.
Public Safety
Bench Fire Reaches 60,271 Acres at 3% Containment; Six Homes Destroyed, Public Meeting Today
The Bench Fire continued its destructive run Wednesday, with firefighters confirming six homes and five other structures destroyed on the Warm Springs Reservation. With 3% containment on a 60,271-acre perimeter, incident commanders are holding lines near Pelton Dam while a public community meeting is scheduled for Thursday.
Public Safety
Bench Fire Grows to 45,000 Acres With Zero Containment; Warm Springs Under 'Go Now' Orders
The Bench Fire southwest of Warm Springs has exploded to 45,209 acres with no containment as of Tuesday evening, prompting Level 3 'Go Now' evacuation orders across much of the Warm Springs community. Two incident management teams have entered unified command as firefighters defend homes, businesses, and hydroelectric dams along the Deschutes River.
Public Safety
Bench and Beachcomb Fires Merge Near Warm Springs, Leaving Thousands Under Level 3 Evacuation Orders
Two fast-moving wildfires have merged into a combined complex exceeding 33,000 acres near the Warm Springs Reservation with zero containment, destroying at least six homes and forcing widespread evacuation across the community.
Public Safety
Governor Invokes Emergency Conflagration Act as Bench and Beachcomb Fires Force Evacuations in Jefferson County
Gov. Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act on July 25 for the Bench and Beachcomb fires burning in Jefferson County, triggering state mutual aid as Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation orders remain in effect for multiple areas, including Lake Simtustus and portions of the Warm Springs Reservation.
Public Safety
Ten Mile Fire Burns 4,774 Acres Northeast of Madras; Evacuations and Red Flag Warning Remain in Effect
The Ten Mile Fire continues to burn in rugged terrain northeast of Madras as firefighters work to strengthen control lines. Level 1, 2, and 3 evacuation orders remain in place across portions of Jefferson and Wasco counties, and a red flag warning is in effect Sunday for gusty winds and critically low humidity.
Public Safety
Brewer Fire Spot Crosses Lines Near Grizzly Road; Red Flag Warning in Effect Through Saturday
A 30-acre spot fire jumped established containment lines on the Brewer Fire overnight Thursday near Grizzly Road, as a Red Flag Warning remains in effect through Saturday. The fire is just 5% contained with extreme fire behavior expected.