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Section

Public Safety

Bench Fire Nears Full Containment as Warm Springs Community Shifts to Long Recovery

The Bench Fire southwest of Warm Springs has reached 86 percent containment, all evacuation orders have been lifted, and tribal leaders are now focused on the long road to rebuilding — even as Stage 2 fire restrictions remain in place across Jefferson County.

Come and Eat: Crooked River Ranch Fire & Rescue Hosts Volunteer Fundraiser Breakfast Sept. 6

Crooked River Ranch Fire & Rescue is inviting the community to a pay-what-you-can breakfast fundraiser on September 6 to support their volunteer firefighter association — the same crew that’s been stretched thin covering local calls while fighting fires across Oregon this summer.

Three Major Central Oregon Fires Near Containment, But Red Flag Warnings Keep Crews on Edge

The Henry, Coyote, and Shingle fires are all trending toward full containment, and Highway 26 between Prineville and Mitchell has reopened — but forecasted thunderstorms and lingering dry fuels are keeping fire managers on high alert this weekend.

Henry, Coyote and Shingle Fires Near Control as Red Flag Conditions Persist

Three major wildfires burning in north-central and eastern Oregon are nearing full containment, but fire managers warn that hot, dry, and windy weather — plus forecasted dry thunderstorms — keeps the region in a critical fire weather pattern through the weekend.

Rowe Creek Complex Grows to 373,777 Acres; Highway 26 Reopens as Red Flag Warning Looms

The massive Rowe Creek Complex fire reached 373,777 acres and 79% containment as of August 13, with firefighters celebrating the reopening of US Highway 26 even as a Red Flag Warning and the threat of dry lightning put all progress at risk.

Warm Springs Tap Water Declared Safe: Boil Water Notice and Conservation Order Lifted

The EPA and Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs have officially lifted both the Boil Water Notice and Water Conservation Order that were in place during the Bench Fire emergency. Tap water on the reservation is now safe to drink, cook with, and use normally.

JCSO Sheriff Logs: Impaired Driver Crashes North of Madras, DV Report in Crooked River Ranch

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office reports an impaired driving crash north of Madras, a domestic violence call in Crooked River Ranch, and the arrest of a wanted subject in Madras during its latest incident logs.

JCSO Sheriff Log: Impaired Driver on Hwy. 97, Domestic Assault at Crooked River Ranch Among Week's Incidents

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office responded to a range of incidents between August 3 and 9, including a suspected impaired driver who crashed off Highway 97 north of Madras, a domestic violence arrest at Crooked River Ranch, and a tractor theft in Madras.

Rowe Creek Complex Grows to 367,847 Acres; US-26 Remains Closed as New Command Teams Arrive

The massive Rowe Creek Complex fire reached nearly 368,000 acres Sunday as US Highway 26 remains closed and a new unified command structure brings fresh resources to the fight.

State Grant Helps Crooked River Ranch Fire & Rescue Keep Pace During Brutal Fire Season

A wildfire staffing grant from the Oregon State Fire Marshal is helping Crooked River Ranch Fire & Rescue maintain local emergency coverage while contributing personnel to the statewide mutual-aid system during one of Oregon's worst fire seasons on record.

Rowe Creek Complex Grows to 364,000 Acres as US-26 Remains Closed

The massive Rowe Creek Complex wildfire reached 364,413 acres Saturday — spanning Jefferson, Crook, Wheeler, and Wasco counties — as crews fought extreme fire behavior and spot fires continued to threaten US Highway 26.

State Grant Bolsters Crooked River Ranch Fire and Rescue Staffing During Wildfire Season

A wildfire staffing grant from the Oregon State Fire Marshal is helping Crooked River Ranch Fire and Rescue keep an extra firefighter on duty each day through the heart of fire season, strengthening both local response and regional mutual aid.