Warm Springs Tribes face severe shortages as wildfires destroy homes

The Bench and Beachcomb fires merged in central Oregon this week, consuming more than 60,000 acres and causing severe hardships for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.

Relief for the tribes is coordinated through the federal government rather than the state due to tribal sovereignty. The community is currently experiencing a significant shortage of daily essentials, including food and clothing.

KTVZ's Spencer Sacks will have a full report tonight on KTVZ news at 10 on Fox and KTVZ News at 11 on NBC.

The blaze has resulted in property damage within the Warm Springs area, including the destruction of homes. The specific number of residences lost in the fire is currently unknown.

All throughout Central Oregon, community members have organized fundraising efforts to assist the tribes. These efforts are intended to help the Warm Springs community obtain necessary supplies to address the shortages caused by the wildfire.

Thousands of firefighters from across Oregon, the United States and other countries have been deployed to fight blazes throughout the region. More than 1 million acres have burned across the state over the last several weeks.