Firefighters have made dramatic gains on the Bench Fire burning southwest of Warm Springs, with the blaze now at approximately 86 percent containment — a significant turnaround from the zero-containment emergency that triggered mass evacuations across the reservation nearly three weeks ago. The Warm Springs Police Department has officially lifted all evacuation levels tied to the Bench Fire, and residents are returning home to assess the damage left behind.

From Evacuation to Homecoming

At its peak, the Bench Fire scorched more than 67,000 acres in the Upper Seekseequa area, knocking out power and clean water for thousands of tribal members for nearly a week. Emergency shelters filled quickly across the region as hundreds of families fled the reservation, and relief supplies flowed in from communities throughout Central Oregon and beyond.

As of this week, the Warm Springs Wildfire Recovery Distribution Center continues operating out of the Old School Cafeteria, open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and providing food, water, and household supplies to affected families. Tribal officials are encouraging those in need to arrive early and note that donations are still being accepted at designated drop-off locations across the community.

Tribal members requiring ongoing assistance with recovery needs are directed to visit Emergency Management at 1116 Wasco Street, which has been open since August 10.

Recovery Will Take Years

While containment numbers are encouraging, tribal and county leaders are stressing that the recovery from the Bench Fire will be measured in years, not weeks. Utility infrastructure, ranch fencing, rangeland, and cultural sites sustained significant damage. Federal and state recovery assistance is being coordinated through tribal emergency management, and an assessment of total losses is still ongoing.

“The fire may be nearly out, but the recovery is just beginning,” one tribal official noted. “Our families are going home to real hardship, and we’re going to need sustained support to get through this.”

Round Butte Fire Wrapping Up

Meanwhile, the Round Butte Fire near Culver — which sparked August 1 and triggered Level 3 "Go Now" evacuations along the south shore of Lake Billy Chinook — is now 90 percent contained at 1,163 acres. Determined to be human-caused, the fire has been reduced to a nine-person mop-up crew. All evacuation orders in the Round Butte area have been lifted.

Fire Restrictions Remain in Effect

Despite progress on both fires, conditions across Jefferson County remain critically dry. Stage 2 public use fire restrictions remain in effect on all public lands in Central Oregon, prohibiting:

  • All campfires, including those in established fire rings and pits on public lands
  • Charcoal and wood fires in developed campgrounds unless in an enclosed device
  • Smoking except inside enclosed vehicles, buildings, or cleared areas
  • Use of burn barrels (banned countywide since August 4 by Jefferson County Fire & EMS)

Hot, dry, and breezy conditions are forecast to continue through late August. Residents can check current fire restriction maps at gisapps.odf.oregon.gov/firerestrictions before any outdoor activities involving heat or open flame.