Warm Springs tribes enact reservation-wide burn ban

The Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs have imposed a reservation-wide burn ban as part of a state of emergency due to a major water main break that prompted a disaster declaration last Friday.

“With dry fuel conditions and lack of water for fire suppression it is critical we take precautions to help protect the people, property and resources of the Warm Springs Reservation,” Monday’s declaration stated.

The ban includes “hot work” in all facilities, such as welding and soldering, as well as campfires and fireworks. Ceremonial and traditional fires are exempt from the ban, but officials urged communication with and following the recommendations of Warm Springs Fire Management Pevention before such activities.

On the tribes’ Facebook page, they have detailed water outages in various neighborhoods as water is drawn down from reservoirs in alternating fashion. All homes and businesses are encouraged to conserve water.