The Bench Fire — now one of the most destructive wildfires in Jefferson County history — reached 64,407 acres by Thursday, July 30, with containment holding at just 22 percent. More than 800 firefighting personnel are assigned to the incident as crews brace for worsening conditions expected this weekend.

Red Flag Warning on the Horizon

Fire weather meteorologists are forecasting a sharp drop in relative humidity through the end of the week, with conditions potentially triggering a Red Flag Warning by Saturday or Sunday. Thursday temperatures hovered in the mid-80s with humidity between 22 and 28 percent — already dry — and forecasters say those numbers are expected to fall further heading into the weekend.

"While heavy cloud cover is expected to slightly moderate the fire's behavior today, overall fire behavior remains very active," incident managers said in Thursday's morning briefing from Central Oregon Fire Information.

Camp Sherman Evacuations Expanded

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office expanded evacuation orders Wednesday, placing the northeast corner of Camp Sherman under a Level 3 "Go Now" order. The area immediately south of that zone was elevated to Level 2 "Be Set" status. Additionally, portions of the Lake Billy Chinook recreation area — including the southern half of Lake Billy Chinook Zone 3 (Orange/Blue) and the southeast corner of Zone 6 (White) — were also moved to Level 2 status.

Residents in all evacuation zones are urged to monitor the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Facebook page and sign up for county emergency alerts at jeffco.net for real-time notifications.

Crews Focus on Metolius Road Corridor

Firefighters are actively constructing contingency containment lines along the Metolius Road corridor to prevent the fire from pushing further south — a movement that would bring it dangerously close to the communities of Culver and Metolius. Direct suppression tactics are being applied along the southwestern edge of the fire perimeter, while firing operations along the northern edge aim to strengthen the line between Tenino Road and Warm Springs proper.

Aerial resources — air tankers and helicopters — are supporting ground crews wherever smoke and visibility allow safe flight operations.

Structure Protection in Seekseequa District

Oregon State Fire Marshal structural protection crews are conducting mop-up operations 200 to 300 feet from homes throughout the Seekseequa District, working to eliminate hotspots and reduce the chance of rekindling before this weekend's anticipated fire weather. Two additional structural task forces arrived Wednesday evening to bolster those efforts. Crews are also scouting residential areas along Montgomery Road and developing preemptive structure protection plans for neighborhoods along the fire's southern edge.

The Bench Fire has claimed at least eight homes and five other structures since it ignited July 23, four miles southwest of Warm Springs. Its cause remains under investigation.

Current Fire Statistics (as of July 30)

  • Acres burned: 64,407
  • Containment: 22%
  • Personnel assigned: 802
  • Start date: July 23, 2026
  • Cause: Undetermined
  • Fuels: Grass, shrub, and ponderosa pine

Residents with questions can call the public information line at 541-707-8719, available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. For the latest evacuation map, visit the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office social media or jeffco.net.