Warm Springs crews catch 320-acre wildfire

(Update: Ben Lane Fire at 320 acres, 40 percent contained)

A new, wind-fanned wildfire quickly spread across about 320 acres in Warm Springs late Monday afternoon and evening, threatening about 25 homes, but more than 100 firefighters were able to stop the blaze, which was 40 percent contained by nightfall, an official said.

William Wilson, assistant fire management officer with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, said the fire began near Highway 26 about 4:40 p.m. and burned uphill through the area of the Warm Springs sign.

The fire “wrapped around a little gap we had, got into some shade and shelter from the wind, and crews were able to get water bladders and hand tools and got a handle on it,” Wilson said.

Crews were focusing efforts on areas near four or five homes, making sure the fire is fully mopped up before Tuesday’s expected return of winds and 100-degree temperatures. An old bulldozer line helped keep the fire from reaching the structures.

A Central Oregon regional structure-protection task force was called up around 6 p.m. but canceled about an hour later, after the situation improved, Wilson said.

Warm Springs Fire Management had 87 people on the fire, along with about 20 from Warm Springs Fire and Safety and Warm Springs Police, Wilson said. Another crew and five engines were called up to assist Tuesday.

Investigators were looking into the fire’s cause. Because of the roadside area where it started, it’s possible it was ignited by a vehicle, though Wilson said there have been a rash of suspicious human-caused fires of late. He said the Warm Springs reservation got little of the lightning that struck some areas of the High Desert on Sunday.

ODOT’s TripCheck reported northbound lanes affected by the wildfire and for motorists to expect extended delays.

We’ll update with more details as we get them.