Warm Springs wildfire that grew to nearly 800 acres now 75 percent contained
Wind-fanned grass fire closed Hwy. 26, threatened two homes
WARM SPRINGS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A wind-driven grass fire that broke out Thursday afternoon on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation, closing U.S. Highway 26 for a time, has grown to nearly 800 acres but is now 75 percent contained, an official said Friday.
The Milepost 91 Fire was reported on the east side of Sidwalter Flats along Highway 26, prompting a traffic detour onto two highways on the reservation.
The fire, mapped Friday at 787 acres, threatened two homes Thursday, but structure protection crews prevented any damage, said Trey Leonard, fire management officer with Warm Springs Fire & Safety.
Central Oregon Fire Management Services helped out with helicopters to fight the blaze on Thursday and with a helicopter back on scene Friday, Leonard said.
About five 20-member crews were on scene to fight the fire, along with a strike team of engines. The cause of the fire is under investigation, Leonard said, adding that mop-up operations will continue.
Highway 26 motorists were detoured onto reservation highways 3 and 216. But before 9 p.m., ODOT TripCheck reported the fire was causing "no to minimum delays."
