A Jefferson County ranching couple has taken legal action over the 2025 Cram Fire, filing a civil lawsuit claiming that Central Electric Cooperative's negligence caused one of the largest wildfires in recent Central Oregon history. The lawsuit, filed in Deschutes County Circuit Court, seeks more than $10 million in damages.
The Allegations
Ronald and Debra Dees allege that Central Electric Cooperative "negligently and recklessly failed" to properly manage its electrical infrastructure and kept power lines energized despite a Red Flag Warning and extreme fire weather conditions along the Highway 97 corridor near Willowdale.
The Cram Fire ignited in July 2025 on private land near the intersection of Highway 97 and Northeast Pony Butte Road. It exploded from a few hundred acres to nearly 96,000 acres in a matter of days, burning through portions of Jefferson, Wasco, and Crook counties. At its peak, the fire destroyed at least two residences and 14 outbuildings — including barns, workshops, pump houses, and sheds — and triggered Level 3 "Leave Now" evacuation orders across multiple zones.
"Despite the extreme fire weather, a Red Flag Warning, and known fire risks in the region, the company kept its power lines energized," according to the lawsuit, as described in coverage by KOIN 6 News.
Ashwood and the Human Cost
The fire's reach extended to the remote Ashwood community in southern Jefferson County, where residents faced loss and disruption in an area with limited resources for rapid response. The KTVZ newsroom noted that Ashwood residents continue to grapple with the aftermath months later.
What Comes Next
The case is being handled by the law firm Singleton Schreiber, which represents the Dees family. Central Electric Cooperative has not publicly commented on the litigation. The case is expected to move through the Deschutes County court system over the coming months.
The lawsuit adds to growing national scrutiny of electric utilities' responsibilities during extreme fire weather — a debate that has intensified following a series of utility-sparked wildfires in California, Oregon, and Washington in recent years.