Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs leadership recently traveled to Washington, D.C., where they met with U.S. Representative Cliff Bentz to press for action on two of the reservation's most urgent concerns: the ongoing impacts of the 2026 wildfire season and critical infrastructure needs affecting tribal members.

According to KWSO 91.9 FM, Congressman Bentz hosted Tribal Council Chairman Dennis White III, Secretary Treasurer and CEO Edward Henderson, and Government Affairs Director Andrew Hofestetter for meetings centered on evaluating wildfire damage and identifying pathways to federal support for infrastructure improvements across the Warm Springs Indian Reservation.

Wildfire Impacts Front and Center

The 2026 fire season hit communities across Central Oregon hard, and the Warm Springs Reservation — encompassing nearly 650,000 acres of high desert, forest, and canyon lands — is not immune. Tribal leaders have long advocated for increased resources for forest health management, firefighting capacity, and recovery assistance in the aftermath of significant fire events.

The Washington meetings gave tribal leadership a direct platform to detail those impacts to a member of Congress who represents the district. Representative Bentz, whose district covers a large swath of eastern and central Oregon, has worked with tribal governments on natural resource and public lands issues in the past.

Infrastructure Needs

Beyond fire, tribal leaders have consistently raised concerns about aging infrastructure on the reservation — from roads and bridges to water systems and broadband connectivity. Rural infrastructure gaps affect the daily lives of Warm Springs tribal members and limit economic opportunity for a community that has worked hard to build self-sufficiency.

Advocacy trips like this one are part of the Confederated Tribes' ongoing effort to ensure that the federal trust responsibility to tribal nations translates into real resources and attention at the congressional level.

About the Confederated Tribes

The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs is a sovereign nation composed of the Warm Springs, Wasco, and Paiute peoples. The tribal government serves approximately 4,400 enrolled members and manages a range of enterprises, programs, and services on the reservation.

For updates on Warm Springs Tribal Council actions and community news, tune in to KWSO 91.9 FM or visit warmsprings-nsn.gov.