The Bench Fire that swept through the landscape near Madras and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Reservation is now mostly contained — but for the ranchers, horse keepers, and families whose land it burned, the recovery is just beginning.

The fire grew to more than 67,000 acres in its first two weeks, consuming rangeland across the reservation and the surrounding region before crews brought it under control. At its peak, the blaze prompted significant concern for communities near Madras, with state Rep. Mark Owens, R-Crane, noting that without the work of rural firefighters and state agencies, "there'd have been towns and houses taken out."

Ranchers Face Devastating Grazing Losses

Among those hardest hit are cattle and horse ranchers who depend on reservation grazing districts for their herds. At least one Warm Springs rancher reported losing approximately 80% of his grazing district — land that supports hundreds of horses and cattle on open rangeland.

With fall and winter approaching, the loss of forage is critical. Replanting burned rangeland typically takes two to three growing seasons before it returns to pre-fire productivity, meaning ranchers may face years of hauling feed or relocating animals at significant cost.

The fire's impact on the reservation's wild and semi-wild horse herds — a culturally significant part of Warm Springs life — has also drawn attention, with some ranchers reporting animals displaced from their traditional ranges.

Oregon Approves $123 Million in Wildfire Costs

At the state level, Oregon legislators have approved $123 million to cover a portion of the state's 2026 wildfire costs — a figure that reflects the severity of this year's fire season across the Pacific Northwest.

The funding covers suppression costs, emergency response, and resource deployment for large fires statewide. The Bench Fire was among the blazes that drove the season's totals higher.

Rep. Owens, whose district encompasses much of the rural Eastern and Central Oregon fire zone, said the scale of damage underscored the need for continued investment in rural fire resources.

Recovery Resources

Residents and ranchers affected by the Bench Fire can explore the following resources:

  • Jefferson County Emergency Management: (541) 325-5008
  • USDA Farm Service Agency (Prineville office): For emergency livestock assistance programs
  • Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Natural Resources Dept.: For reservation-specific grazing and rangeland recovery support
  • Oregon Department of Agriculture: For livestock disaster assistance information

As fire season winds down in Central Oregon, attention now turns to long-term land recovery, debris removal, and preparing rangeland for eventual reseeding.