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Public Safety

Bench and Round Butte Fires Near Containment; Red Flag Conditions Possible This Weekend

Both fires that have burned across Jefferson County and the Warm Springs Reservation are nearing full containment, but near-record heat and critically low humidity forecast for this weekend are keeping crews on alert.

Jefferson County Fires: Mud Springs Ignites Near Gateway as Rowe Creek Complex Reaches 344,000 Acres

A new fire erupted before dawn Thursday near Gateway while the massive Rowe Creek Complex continued burning east of Culver and Metolius. Here is the latest on every active fire affecting Jefferson County.

US Highway 26 Remains Closed as Rowe Creek Complex Fire Tops 329,000 Acres

The Rowe Creek Complex Fire — burning since July 15 near Fossil — has grown to 329,012 acres and remains 62% contained. US Highway 26 is still closed through the fire corridor, and crews are warning the public to stay out of closed areas as dangerous conditions persist.

Round Butte Fire Reaches 1,091 Acres Near Madras; Crews Making Progress as Heat Returns

The Round Butte Fire west of Madras has grown to 1,091 acres with 12% containment as of Tuesday. Crews secured the perimeter overnight and are now mopping up, but near-record heat forecast for Wednesday threatens to complicate firefighting efforts.

Round Butte Fire Now 7% Contained; Command Transfers to Southwest Team as Evacuations Remain

The Round Butte Fire west of Madras held at 1,039 acres through the weekend as crews secured control lines. Command transferred Monday morning to a regional incident management team now also overseeing the Bench Fire, with Level 1–3 evacuations still active across parts of Jefferson County.

Round Butte Fire Grows to 1,039 Acres West of Madras; Some Evacuation Zones Reduced

A fast-moving wildfire that ignited Friday afternoon on the south slope of Round Butte has burned 1,039 acres as of Sunday morning and remains at zero percent containment, though firefighters made enough overnight progress for Jefferson County to begin lifting some evacuation levels.

Round Butte Fire Explodes to 1,200 Acres West of Madras; Evacuation Orders in Effect

A fast-moving vegetation fire ignited Saturday afternoon on the south side of Round Butte, roughly five miles west of Madras, and grew rapidly to an estimated 1,200 acres by Saturday evening. Level 3 evacuation orders were issued for the immediate area as firefighters from Jefferson County and multiple state and federal agencies worked through the night to contain the blaze.

Red Flag Warning Today as Bench Fire Crews Race to Hold Containment Lines

A Red Flag Warning is in effect Saturday for Jefferson County and most of Central Oregon, threatening to push the already-massive Bench Fire beyond its 32% containment lines. Firefighters are bracing for winds up to 30 mph and humidity as low as 5 percent.

Bench Fire Tops 64,000 Acres; Red Flag Conditions Expected This Weekend

The Bench Fire burning southwest of Warm Springs reached 64,407 acres Thursday at 22% containment. Firefighters are racing to establish containment lines near Metolius Road before anticipated Red Flag conditions arrive this weekend, while Camp Sherman faces expanded evacuations.

Bench Fire Reaches 60,271 Acres at 3% Containment; Six Homes Destroyed, Public Meeting Today

The Bench Fire continued its destructive run Wednesday, with firefighters confirming six homes and five other structures destroyed on the Warm Springs Reservation. With 3% containment on a 60,271-acre perimeter, incident commanders are holding lines near Pelton Dam while a public community meeting is scheduled for Thursday.

Bench Fire Grows to 45,000 Acres With Zero Containment; Warm Springs Under 'Go Now' Orders

The Bench Fire southwest of Warm Springs has exploded to 45,209 acres with no containment as of Tuesday evening, prompting Level 3 'Go Now' evacuation orders across much of the Warm Springs community. Two incident management teams have entered unified command as firefighters defend homes, businesses, and hydroelectric dams along the Deschutes River.

Bench and Beachcomb Fires Merge Near Warm Springs, Leaving Thousands Under Level 3 Evacuation Orders

Two fast-moving wildfires have merged into a combined complex exceeding 33,000 acres near the Warm Springs Reservation with zero containment, destroying at least six homes and forcing widespread evacuation across the community.