BREAKING NEWS: Evacuation Alert issued for Warm Springs Agency due to Bench Fire, Police say
UPDATE: Officials have just provided an updated concerning the fires burning near Warm Springs, prompting evacuation notices:
Bench Fire
Acres: 6201
Containment: 0%
Beachcomb Fire
Acres: 2352
Containment: 0%
Extreme and highly active fire behavior with wind gusts up to 29 mph on Friday pushed the Bench Fire over contingency lines to the east, removing the 20% containment that had been reached.
The Beachcomb Fire burned actively to the southeast with long-range fire spotting across the Deschutes River and northeast across U.S. Highway 26. Firefighters worked diligently to identify areas and features to be used for containment lines. Extreme fire weather behavior required additional evacuations ahead of the main fire front throughout the three Seekseequa Districts.
The Oregon Department of Transportation has implemented a road closure at approximately 7:30 p.m. For U.S. Highway 26 from mile marker 105-111 due to fire activity spreading across the road.
Evacuations in the area under level 3 - GO status:
-Warm Springs Agency District, including all of Greeley Heights, Tenino Apartments, Trailer Courts, West Hill, Elmer Quinn Park, the Campus Area, and any residents along Shitike Creek.
-Upper Seekseequa
-Dry Hollow
-Lower Seekseequa
-Jackson Trail
-Tenino Road
UPDATE: New photos of the Bench Wildfire provided by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office:
UPDATE: Here is the latest update from The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs:
The Old School Cafeteria remains open for members to evacuate to despite the broad Level 3 evacuation notice for Campus.
At the moment, Highway 26 between the Reservation and Madras is closed due to heavy smoke and the fire crossing the highway. Fire Management response is working to get the highway reopened as soon as possible.
We know this is stressful and changing quickly. Please follow these updates closely, and help keep your neighbors and family informed as well. CTWS Fire Management is working hard to keep everyone safe as they continue to fight the fire.
UPDATE: ODOT has closed U.S. 26 near Warm Springs, milepost 108 to 110, due to a wildfire. Use an alternate route and avoid the area. Roads near wildfires may open or close with little notice.
WARM SPRINGS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Warm Springs Police Department is urging residents to evacuate due to the Bench Fire.
In a Facebook post, the department says, "Due to changing fire conditions, the Warm Springs Agency is now under a Level 3 – GO NOW evacuation notice."
According to our partners at Watch Duty, there are two shelters residents can utilize.
There are two evacuation sites available for CTWS members: The Old School Cafeteria at 1150 Warm Springs St. and a Red Cross Emergency Evacuation Shelter at St. Patrick's Church at 341 SW J St. in Madras. If you need help relocating to these areas, call Emergency Management at 541-419-8094.
There is also a shelter for livestock animals set up at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Madras at 430 SW Fairgrounds Road. If you need help moving animals, contact Branch of Natural Resources’ Butch David at 541-325-2253.
