Firefighters are holding their ground Sunday against the Ten Mile Fire, which has burned approximately 4,774 acres in the rugged high-desert terrain located about 11 miles northeast of Madras and seven miles south of the US 97/197 junction. The fire experienced no significant growth Friday night or overnight Saturday, offering crews a narrow window to shore up containment lines before another challenging weather day.
A red flag warning is in effect across Central Oregon on Sunday due to gusty winds and low relative humidity — conditions that fire managers warn could lead to rapid fire spread and significant resistance to control on any active incident.
Evacuations in Place
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has issued evacuation levels across affected areas northeast of Madras:
- Level 3 – GO NOW: Immediate evacuation required for the eastern side of NE 12th Street from NE Coleman Road to the west side of Highway 97, down to Lyle Gap.
- Level 2 – BE SET: Be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
- Level 1 – BE READY: Be aware and prepare to evacuate if conditions change.
Wasco County Sheriff’s Office has also issued corresponding evacuation notices on its side of the county line. Officials caution that evacuation levels can change rapidly, especially under today’s forecast conditions. Residents should monitor the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page and jeffersoncountyor.gov for the latest updates.
Highway 97 Reopened After Closure
US 97 northeast of Madras was temporarily closed Thursday afternoon as the fire pushed toward the highway corridor. ODOT has since reopened the route, but motorists are urged to check tripcheck.com for current road conditions before traveling. Smoke continues to reduce visibility at times in the area.
BLM Closure on Deschutes River
The Prineville District Bureau of Land Management has implemented a closure order covering all BLM-managed lands, boat launches, access points, and backcountry campsites from the Warm Springs launch at Highway 26 to the Locked Gate on the Deschutes River Access Road. Popular fishing and rafting stretches of the lower Deschutes remain closed until further notice.
Other Active Fires Near Jefferson County
The Ten Mile Fire is not the only blaze drawing attention in the region. Central Oregon firefighters responded to 19 additional reported wildfires on Friday alone while continuing work on 50 existing fires. Additional incidents of note include:
- Incident #586 — Mapped at 118 acres just north of the Ten Mile Fire. The fire remains within its footprint and crews are securing existing control lines.
- Lone Pine Fire — Burning 3 miles northeast of Terrebonne near Smith Rock State Park; remapped at 35 acres and 90% contained.
- Brewer Fire — The Brewer Fire east of Madras, which cost the life of 58-year-old Madras resident Stacy Chiddix on July 20, continues to be monitored. The community mourns his loss.
What Residents Should Do
Jefferson County Emergency Management urges all residents in or near evacuation zones to take the following steps:
- Know your evacuation level and have a go-bag ready
- Sign up for emergency alerts at jeffco911.com
- Do not use drones near any fire incident — unauthorized drone operations have been reported over active fires and ground aerial operations
- Check on neighbors, especially elderly residents or those with livestock
The Central Oregon Type 3 Incident Management Team is managing the Ten Mile Fire. Updated information is available at centraloregonfire.org.