Nearly four weeks after the Bench Fire tore through the Warm Springs Reservation, a critical milestone was reached this week: the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs (CTWS) Public Utilities Department announced it has lifted both its boil water notice and a water conservation order that had been in effect since the fire swept through the community in late July.
The restoration of safe, reliable water service marks a turning point for the roughly 4,400 residents of the reservation, many of whom spent weeks without power or clean water as the 67,000-acre Bench Fire burned through homes, infrastructure, and culturally significant lands.
Recovery Fund Surpasses Goal
The CTWS Wildfire Recovery Fund, launched in the immediate aftermath of the fire, has now raised $324,095 — more than 130 percent of its original $250,000 target. Tribal leaders expressed deep gratitude to donors while making clear that the need remains urgent.
“Your generosity after the Bench and Beachcomb Fires has helped care for families, elders, children, and neighbors. Because of that outpouring, our immediate supply needs are met, and storage areas are full. But the work ahead is bigger than this moment. Recovery will take months and years, and every gift helps our people rebuild with care, dignity, and hope.”
Tribal leaders said that while emergency supply distribution has wrapped up, the longer reconstruction phase — replacing damaged homes, replanting scorched grazing land, and restoring cultural sites — will demand sustained attention and resources well into 2027 and beyond.
A Long Road Ahead
The Bench Fire, which was discovered July 23 and grew to more than 67,000 acres, is now largely contained following coordinated suppression efforts by tribal, local, state, and federal firefighting resources. Oregon State Fire Marshal structural resources assigned to protect homes on the reservation have been demobilized, a sign that the acute emergency phase has ended.
Residents wishing to continue supporting the tribe’s recovery can donate through the tribe’s official Facebook page or by visiting warmsprings-nsn.gov. Tribal leaders indicated they will continue accepting donations as the rebuilding effort continues through the coming year.