A wildfire burning just northeast of Madras has grown significantly over the past several days, while fire agencies across Central Oregon have elevated fire restrictions to their highest level in response to extreme conditions.

Ten Mile Fire: 4,809 Acres, 36% Contained

The Ten Mile Fire, located approximately 11 miles northeast of Madras and seven miles south of the Highway 97 and Highway 197 junction, was listed at 4,809 acres as of the Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch update Sunday morning — a figure that reflects improved mapping rather than overnight growth alone. The fire is currently 36% contained.

The fire is being managed by the Central Oregon Type 3 Incident Management Team. Crews are focusing on strengthening control lines around the perimeter and cooling hotspots in the fire's interior, where juniper clumps continue to hold heat in rugged terrain.

The Jefferson County and Wasco County Sheriff's Offices have issued Level 1, 2, and 3 evacuation orders for areas near the fire. Residents in affected zones are urged to check the Jefferson County emergency evacuation map at fr911orgis.maps.arcgis.com for current zone levels.

Incident #586 Nearby

A second incident, designated Incident #586, is burning just north of the Ten Mile Fire. It has been mapped at 191 acres and, as of Sunday, remained within its original footprint. Firefighters have secured existing control lines around the perimeter of that blaze.

Stage 2 Restrictions Now Regionwide

Beginning at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 25, all Central Oregon public lands — including Deschutes National Forest, Ochoco National Forest, and the Prineville District Bureau of Land Management — moved to Stage 2 public use fire restrictions. The restrictions prohibit:

  • Building, attending, maintaining, or using a campfire
  • Chainsaw or other motorized equipment use without a fire watch and extinguisher
  • Smoking except within an enclosed vehicle or building
  • Operating any internal combustion engine without a spark-arresting device

Violations of fire restrictions are a Class B misdemeanor and can result in civil liability for suppression costs.

Conditions Remain Critical

Central Oregon fire officials report that gusty winds, low relative humidity, and high temperatures are forecast to persist through the week. The combination continues to create extreme fire weather for the region.

For the latest fire information, road closures, and evacuation updates, residents can monitor CentralOregonFire.org or follow their county sheriff on social media. Road status is available at TripCheck.com.