Firefighters battling the Bench Fire on the Warm Springs Reservation are bracing for the most dangerous fire weather yet this season, as a Red Flag Warning goes into effect Saturday across Jefferson County and most of Central Oregon — including the active fire area.
As of the July 31 morning briefing, the Bench Fire has burned 66,404 acres since it was discovered July 23 approximately four miles southwest of Warm Springs. Containment stood at 32 percent, with nearly 870 personnel from tribal, local, state, and federal agencies assigned to the incident.
Saturday Conditions Pose Serious Risk
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday for fire weather zones covering Jefferson County and Warm Springs. Forecast conditions include:
- West winds of 20-30 mph with gusts up to 30 mph on the fire
- Relative humidity dropping as low as 5-10 percent
- Temperatures reaching the low 90s
Incident managers warn that any combination of these factors can drive rapid fire spread and long-range spotting - the same conditions that allowed the fire to race across tens of thousands of acres in its opening days.
Crews Strengthening Lines Before the Wind Arrives
Firefighters have been working aggressively on the western flank near the Metolius River, using existing roads as natural containment lines. On the eastern side, crews are mopping up hotspots where the fire crossed U.S. Highway 26, and building contingency lines south of Lake Billy Chinook in anticipation of Saturday's weather.
"The threat to homes and infrastructure around Warm Springs has decreased significantly," fire managers said, but incident commanders emphasized that the fire is not out of danger. Sufficient personnel and equipment will remain on scene until the structural protection mission is complete.
Evacuation Levels and Restrictions
Several evacuation areas on the reservation remain under Level 2 (Be Set) orders, while neighboring zones are under Level 1 (Be Ready). Some restrictions have been lifted in areas where fire danger has decreased, allowing residents to return home. Stage 2 fire restrictions -- prohibiting all open fires including in developed campgrounds -- remain in effect across Jefferson County and Warm Springs.
A temporary flight restriction also remains in place over the fire area. Residents and outdoor recreationists are urged to stay alert to evacuation notices throughout Saturday and into the weekend.
For the latest Bench Fire information, visit the official public information site at linktr.ee/2026.benchfireinformation. Sign up for Jefferson County emergency alerts at jeffco.net. Text COFIRE to 888-777 for wildfire text alerts.