Jefferson County Fire & EMS has responded to two residential fires in Madras within the past two weeks, leaving multiple families in need of assistance and underscoring the urgency of fire safety as the summer season begins.
SE Turner Street Fire — June 2
At approximately 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 2, fire crews responded to a structure fire on Southeast Turner Street in Madras. When first responders arrived, smoke was already visible from the front of the house. The four occupants had self-evacuated before crews arrived and were uninjured.
Warm Springs Fire Safety was on standby for medical support. The Madras Police Department and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office assisted with traffic control. The American Red Cross provided assistance to the displaced residents. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office.
NE Collins Drive Fire — May 26
A more destructive fire occurred on the morning of May 26, when Jefferson County Fire & EMS responded to a residence on Northeast Collins Drive. Fire crews arrived to find the house, a vehicle parked alongside it, and an RV — which served as the family’s primary home — already fully engulfed.
“When you have fire kind of pushing through the roof and all the windows and everything else, it’s not a safe environment for us to be able to go in,” said Jefferson County Fire & EMS Interim Chief Kasey Skaar. “By then, anything inside is a total loss.”
The family of three escaped safely and was able to rescue their two dogs, but more than 60 animals inside the condemned home — including quail, ducks, chickens, and rabbits — perished. Some birds in outdoor cages were protected. One firefighter experienced heat exhaustion and was transported to a hospital; no other injuries were reported.
The American Red Cross was again contacted to assist the displaced family. The cause of the Collins Drive fire also remains under investigation.
Resources for Displaced Residents
Families displaced by fire can contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit redcross.org for emergency assistance including temporary shelter, food, and clothing. The Madras Community Food Pantry, located on the Culver Highway, is open Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and may be a resource for families in need.